Paige Bueckers has returned to Storrs, Connecticut, joining her former UConn Huskies teammates on the practice floor. This week is pivotal for the program: they overwhelmed DePaul 102-35 on Sunday, and a showdown with USC awaits on Saturday the 13th. Nothing stirs the Huskies quite like revisiting a WNBA icon who helped shape their legacy.
Bueckers has just finished a remarkable stretch: she helped secure a national championship, earned a spot as a WNBA All-Star Game starter, claimed WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, and earned a place on the All-WNBA Second Team—all within roughly six months. Her presence back at UConn’s campus adds an intriguing dynamic as she reconnects with her roots while continuing the season’s momentum.
Azzi Fudd, who remains a teammate of Bueckers, weighed in on the guest return. “For players who shared the court with Paige, her return stirs a bittersweet mix,” Fudd said. “We miss having her around, but it’s exciting to have her back. The energy she brings elevates the whole team, makes the red squad sharper, and adds a fresh challenge with new looks for us.”
Losing a player who ascends to WNBA Rookie of the Year invariably requires some adjustment. UConn is answering that call with a strong start—9-0 to begin the season, and only one game decided by fewer than 12 points. Fudd believes the adjustment has gone smoothly so far. “Replacing Paige isn’t about one person filling the void; it’s about everyone rising to the occasion. People have stepped up, and Paige’s all-around impact—scoring, rebounding, court vision, basketball IQ, leadership—was substantial. We’re playing well together, and if we keep improving, we’ll be just fine without Paige.”
In her final UConn season, Bueckers averaged 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, guiding the Huskies to their first national title since 2016. She then carried nearly identical production into the WNBA with the Dallas Wings (19.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.4 RPG), though the team’s overall performance lagged behind UConn’s championship run. Bueckers is focused on translating that same high level to a Wings’ rebuild and helping the team compete in her sophomore WNBA season.
For ongoing coverage of the Dallas Wings, stay tuned to WingsGameday and SI for updates throughout the offseason.
