Paige Bueckers walked away a champion on Sunday, capping off her remarkable career with a 82-59 rout over South Carolina in the title game. The unselfish Husky’s final game was a vindication of her ethos, as she played a key role in UConn’s team-powered attack.
Bueckers’ career was marked by four Final Four appearances, three years of heartbreak, and two major injuries. However, it wasn’t until this season that she found her footing. After being criticized for being too selfless last year, Bueckers evolved to prioritize “killer first” mentality, trusting her teammates and playing off the defense.
In the title game, UConn’s defense was swarmed by South Carolina’s athleticism, but Bueckers played a crucial role in exploiting their pressure. She fed her teammates with precision passes, including a beautiful crosscourt pass to Kaitlyn Chen that sparked a 5-0 run for the Huskies.
Bueckers’ decision-making and court vision were on full display as she made plays both in scoring and rebounding positions. Her ability to analyze game situations and adapt was evident in her performance, which earned her the respect of her teammates and coaches.
Fittingly, Bueckers ended her career with a moment that mirrored her approach to the game: a selfless act that put her teammates first. As she cut down the net, she acknowledged the team’s collective effort, saying “We did it our way” – a testament to her enduring philosophy of being an unselfish and uplifting teammate.
With this championship win, UConn is back on top of the women’s basketball world for the first time since 2016. Bueckers’ remarkable career serves as a reminder that sometimes, it takes time and growth to find success – but when you stay true to yourself and your teammates, greatness can be achieved.
Source: https://www.theringer.com/2025/04/07/college-basketball/paige-bueckers-uconn-national-title-south-carolina