Caitlin Clark proved right as Paige Bueckers’ reputation clear on First Night

Caitlin Clark previously praised UConn star Paige Bueckers, who earned a positive reception from students during a special event as the team prepares for her senior season

Like much of the basketball world and WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark anticipated, Paige Bueckers is preparing to step into superstardom and make an undeniable impact this season at UConn.

Already a standout, Bueckers’ star power continues to grow, especially as those unfamiliar with her game begin to catch up due to the massive boom in women’s basketball viewership this season. At UConn’s First Night event at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, where the team is introduced to a roaring crowd of students, the reception of Bueckers was the loudest of the night.

This year’s UConn roster is packed with talent, featuring four promising incoming freshmen in: Morgan Cheli, Jana El Alfy, Sarah Strong, and Allie Ziebell. But the senior guard stole the show, as the entire student body rose to their feet and cheered the future projected No. 1 WNBA draft pick.

Last season, Bueckers led the Huskies in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game and leading the team in blocks with 1.4. Her versatility, paired with her senior leadership, makes her the heartbeat of this year’s UConn squad, which, according to several sportsbooks, has the third-best odds of winning the national title.

Standing at 6 feet tall, Bueckers was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and ranked as the top player in the 2020 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings, above WNBA rookies Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and Clark. While the future league stars prepare for their second season, Bueckers will look to add to her long list of basketball accolades.

Before Clark’s rookie of the year and All-WNBA first team success, she spoke about Bueckers before playing against her in college. The former Iowa record-breaker said how “smooth” Bueckers plays the game, but her resilience is one of her best attributes.

Caitlin Clark spoke highly of Paige last season

Bueckers has endured a challenging four years marked by injuries, including an ACL tear that sidelined her for the 2022-23 season. “Her game is just so smooth. She’s fun to watch. She moves effortlessly out there like it’s just so natural,” said Clark.

“Then she additionally works really hard at it. Paige has always been one of the most dominant players, that has never changed. She’s always been able to go up against the best.”

“The coolest thing about Paige is how resilient she is. Obviously she’s kind of been dealt a tough hand. The way she carries herself on and off the court, the way she works hard,” she continued. “None of that has changed since I’ve known her since she was in middle school, she’s always worked that same way. She’s always had that fire, she’s always been a great leader.”