With her legacy on the line, Paige Bueckers returns to lead UConn, following in the footsteps of legends like Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi. One of the best to ever wear the jersey, she’s feeling the pressure as the NCAA season continues, carrying both her own expectations—and those of head coach Geno Auriemma.

Bueckers divulged her new role as a senior Husky in a recent interview on NBC’s “Got Next with Meghan & Zora” and about handling Auriemma’s high expectations. “I think to lead, and not just by example, but with my voice as well,” she said, speaking about her growth as a leader.

“I feel I’m definitely the most experienced player here at UConn this year. Played the most, I’ve done a lot. So I’ve experienced a lot of different things and I’m continuing to learn how to use my voice and it’s different. Like I can’t talk to one player how I talk to another and that’s getting to know them off the court as well and what works best for them,” the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft explained about her new role in the Huskies roster.

It’s understandable considering Bueckers hopes of being a winner at all levels. If we also account for Auriemma, who is now in his 39th season and boasts an all-time record of 1,213-162 and 11 national championships, being a leader while aspiring to match his high standards is surely no easy job.

“And also taking accountability. It’s hard because as a senior, as the person who’s most experienced, every single thing is your fault and you want to make excuses sometimes like I wasn’t even on the court, like how is that my fault?”

The struggle isn’t just in the physical game; it’s in balancing the burden of accountability with her own high standards. For a player who’s spent her college career striving to be one of UConn’s greats, living up to her potential and meeting Auriemma’s expectations aren’t easy. Bueckers is doing everything she can to carry forward that legacy, which means embracing the grind, even when it’s tough.

Reflecting on her responsibilities, she noted, “But it’s just taking accountability for it and knowing that what I do and how I portray myself and how my teammates respond or see me respond to mistakes or good and bad, like that’s what they’re gonna focus on.  And I’m just trying to be a leader in that regard and just showing them the way here at UConn and just continue to use my voice,  lead by example, lead by how hard I work. And so I think that’s a challenge every single day  that I’m embracing and learning to get better at.”

Bueckers, who is one of the two fastest Husky to score 1,000 career points, was a key driver alongside Nika Mühl in their run to the NCAA last season, where she led UConn to the Final Four, with 21.9 points and grabbed 3.8 assists per game. This year she was a recipient of the “BIG EAST Player of the Year” award, which showcases her dominance in the league. Indeed, she has been through a lot, including missing seasons due to injuries, and hence has become an authority in leading the team.

Bueckers embraces leadership as UConn eyes NCAA title

Bueckers knows she has to go beyond scoring and defending; she needs to be the steadying force that younger players look to. Geno Auriemma, her legendary coach, also understands her irreplaceable value. In a recent interview, when asked if UConn could win without her, the Hall of Famer responded, “I’m not 100% uh, confident or completely secure in knowing that we can.” 

Mar 26, 2022; Bridgeport, CT, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) react after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half in the Bridgeport regional semifinals of the women’s college basketball NCAA Tournament at Webster Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

This acknowledgment holds weight coming from a coach on the verge of becoming the winningest in NCAA women’s basketball history. While Bueckers leads the charge, other promising players have stepped up, showing glimpses of the future: freshman Sarah Strong, averaging 15 points per game; sophomore Ashlyn Shade, who’s scored 12.5 points per game and repeatedly delivered when the team needed it most.

Additionally, Kaitlyn Chen, an assist powerhouse, consistently generates opportunities for UConn; and Jana El Alfy, who’s grabbed 9.0 rebounds per game, anchoring the team’s presence in the paint.

With UConn missing key veterans like Caroline Ducharme and Azzi Fudd to injuries, these sophomores and freshmen will need to rally behind Bueckers to bring home the title.

As WNBA draft projections place Bueckers as a potential No. 1 pick, she is focused on capturing the one prize that has eluded her—the NCAA championship. For Bueckers, this isn’t just another season; it’s the pinnacle of her college career, and she’s ready to rise to the challenge.