Last season, when Paige Bueckers stood on the court at Gampel Pavilion after UConn’s 85-44 win over Georgetown on Senior Night, desperate hopes of ‘one more year’ hanged around in the room. But the star guard did not disappoint. “Unfortunately, this will not be my last Senior Night,” she said, after which the arena erupted. “I feel like God is still writing my story here. I’m just blessed to be a part of this program, and I never want it to end.” Still, things are bittersweet for her.

When Bueckers returned for the current season, it was known a championship title was on her mind. She did not have to spell it out. Geno Auriemma would read her well to know it would break her heart to leave as one of the best Huskies without a championship. Sure, she is still on a quest, but going by her latest comments, even failing to secure one, would not stop her from moving on. All she can focus on, rather, is giving her best every game, knowing what’s at stake—A last opportunity.

The UConn standout was in conversation with Isis ‘Ice’ Young from Yahoo Sports on YouTube when she made clear this was her last year in Storrs. Young asked her how she has been able to separate herself from all the WNBA talks and predictions to focus on one thing. Buecker’s response? Be present in the moment.

“I think it’s a really great time in women’s sports, women’s basketball. But I am where my feet are. And that’s at UConn, enjoying my last year of college basketball being student-athlete,” she said. “So, I am just trying to enjoy that really. And I guess use my social media platform to promote things, I’m not there yet.”

Paige Bueckers has one more year of eligibility remaining due to COVID and a redshirt season. While that had become the basis of speculations, the 2021 NPOY never hinted at using it. Moreover, with the 2025 WNBA draft projecting her as the no.1 pick, it was a given that she was playing her last collegiate season. But Bueckers ensured to double down.

“Yeah, definitely knowing it’s my last. I mean, I had a feeling last year that I wanted to come back… Hadn’t made that decision until late, but it was always a gut feeling of mine, so just knowing that there are a lot more lasts coming up, like my last XL game, it will be senior night its weekend,” Bueckers added. And playing like her last, she definitely is.

The 5th-year senior is leading the Huskies in scoring and assists average with 18.6 and 5, respectively. Even on Senior night, she burst for a 19-point performance, shooting 7-of-11 from the field. That would help improve UConn’s record to 28-3 and unbeaten in the Big East—All the more reason she was inducted into the Huskies of Honor program that evening. Bueckers became only the 23rd Husky to receive the recognition. (Other most recent Huskies players to achieve this are Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou, who were each inducted during the 2019 season.) But before the end nears, Bueckers has another battle—competing for National Player of the Year.

When asked about the award, her response was humble and team-first, as always. “Yeah, I mean, it’s a cool individual acknowledgment, but I think it’s a team award, honestly, and how much your team invests in you and how much you invest in your team and how much your coaches believe in you. Basketball isn’t an individual sport. You can have great individual performances, but none of it is possible without the people around you.”

All this came after she played her final regular season game against Marquette on Sunday and recorded a 92-57 win. Bueckers scored 19 points, seven assists, and three steals. But when she was asked how she wanted her legacy to be remembered, she stated: “A person who wore the jersey with pride, loved her teammates, loved her coaching staff and enjoyed the journey. I just (want to) be remembered for being a great teammate and a great leader.”

While players like JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts are lighting up the scoreboard and making their case for NPOY, Bueckers has embraced a different role.

Paige Bueckers’ final run: Can she lead UConn to one last championship?

With the regular season wrapped up, UConn now shifts its focus to the Big East Tournament and March Madness. The Huskies will have the advantage of playing the early rounds at home. For Bueckers, there’s no more hesitation. This is her final season at UConn, and she is determined to give her best on the court. Whether she wins another NPOY award or not is beside the point. Her legacy as a Husky is already cemented.

Now, it’s all about chasing that one last championship. Will she get it?

Bueckers and Co. enter the Big East Tournament as the undefeated top seed. The Huskies, projected as a No. 2 seed for March Madness, have dominated their conference for over a decade, winning 11 straight tournament titles. Their biggest challenge? A lack of resume-boosting games, with No. 23 Creighton as the only other ranked team in the Big East—whom UConn already beat twice by an average of 15 points.

While UConn has a storied history, early matchups have gotten tougher over the years. According to ESPN’s bracket projections, the Huskies will face No. 15 Albany in the first round, followed by a second-round game at Gampel Pavilion against either 7-seed Oklahoma State or 10-seed Oregon.

The Huskies are in a strong position, but they need to take care of business in the Big East Tournament to solidify their standing. Still, the question remains: Can Geno Auriemma help Bueckers leave UConn with the championship she is been chasing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.