Stephen Curry-Backed UConn Teammate Warns Opponents of 1.5 Years Stronger Paige Bueckers

After a long hiatus, Paige Bueckers is back in basketball backyard. The UConn guard made her unofficial comeback during an exhibition game this year. The match was won by UConn beating Southern Connecticut State by 97-38. Bueckers could only play the first half, but her teammate has already sent a warning to the opponents of her return before the upcoming action.

The 2024 NCAA season is right around the corner. And as it arrives, it is bringing some good news along. Last year, UConn’s guards Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers played 15 games together as a part of their team’s championship run. However, Paige’s ACL injury in August last year broke UConn’s streak of 14 consecutive Final Four appearances. But now, the two are coming together for another possible streak.

Azzi Fudd hyping Paige Bueckers’ comeback

In a recent post-game interview, one of the reporters asked Azzi about Paige’s comeback. She confidently replies, “Uh, sometimes, like in the back of my head, I’ll be like – what is she doing? Like, don’t do that, but she’s been working really hard. We all know, like she is the strongest. She’s ever been so, you know. She goes down against one of those other players, they might be the ones getting worried not her.”

Whether it is on or off the court, Azzi and Paige share a good bond. After making their simultaneous return to the court, both have expressed their excitement to play in the upcoming season. Along with that, they also aim to have a healthy season to make a good championship run.

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Their only concern however is not to stress about the future and stay focused on the present. “But you can’t really help the excitement of what being healthy in this time means and sort of the happy moments in practice of just being together, not just with her, but with everybody,” says Azzi.

Paige Bueckers’ first game after 580 days

The Huskies star made her comeback to the screams that resonated from the Gampel Pavilion. The audience cheered loud at her name being introduced in the starting lineup. This cheer grew even louder when Bueckers made her first hoop in the game.

Her ACL injury didn’t shed any inch of her true ability. Seeing her back in her stronger-than-ever form, Azzi said, “She looked really comfortable and felt really good.” Bueckers spent the last season and a major part of the season before, recovering from two separate injuries. However, all this time that she spent away, only grew her passion to be back with an elevated drive to make an impact and win the game.

UConn’s head coach Geno Auriemma added, “It was so much fun to see. It was so effortless and it just, everything looks so easy. And it just comes so natural for her that I can just imagine what it must have been like all year long to not be able to do that. When you’re so gifted at something and then you can’t do it. And you waited this long. And then it’s finally here.”

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What do you think about Paige Buecker’s comeback? Will she be able to survive this one without the recurring injuries? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.