Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart all made their mark at UConn under legendary coach Geno Auriemma, but none were hyped like Paige Bueckers. When she committed to UConn, the excitement was through the roof. While Caitlin Clark gets a lot of credit for growing women’s basketball, her rivalry with Paige has a lot to do with it as well. However, even though she was a higher-rated prospect than Clark, Paige is still playing in college while Caitlin is already breaking records in the WNBA.

Paige Bueckers’ UConn career started with massive promise, she was named National Player of the Year after her first season and led the Huskies to a Final Four appearance. Everything seemed to be falling into place, until disaster struck with a torn ACL, sidelining her for the entire 2022-23 season. But like any true champion, Paige made a fierce comeback. Now, she’s back on top, undoubtedly UConn’s best player, and is the clear favorite to be the first pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.

Geno Auriemma knows his time with Paige Bueckers might be winding down, even though she could stick around for another year. But UConn’s already thinking ahead, and they’ve got their eyes on Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, a 5-star recruit from Bullis School. She’s currently ranked #2 in the 2027 class by BTN Scouting, and it looks like she could be the next big thing for the Huskies.

Ivanna Wilson Manyacka took to her Instagram and X to share that she has received an offer from UConn. She said, “After a great talk with Coach Geno and Coach Jamelle. I am so blessed to have received an offer from The University Of Connecticut 🙏🏾” he USA U17 World Cup Gold Medalist is already making waves on the court, averaging 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. With a 97 Scout Grade from ESPN, it’s clear that Manyacka is a force to be reckoned with and UConn could very well build a team around her in the future.

Recruiting is crucial for any program, but it would definitely sting if Paige Bueckers left UConn without winning that elusive championship. Geno Auriemma is no doubt hoping that won’t be the case. As the season heats up, all eyes are on Paige as she looks to cap off her legendary UConn career with a title. Let’s take a look at their upcoming games.

Paige Bueckers and the Huskies gear up for the Big Dance

With just two games left before the Big East tournament, the Huskies are determined to finally reclaim the championship they’ve been without since 2016. Paige Bueckers and co came agonizingly close in 2022, but South Carolina proved too dominant in the final.

The Huskies are on a mission, and their next challenge comes in the form of the #23 Creighton Bluejays, who are riding a five-game win streak of their own. Both teams are sitting at the top of the Big East with Huskies leading the conference with a 16-0 record and Creighton right behind them with a 15-1 record. But despite the Bluejays’ impressive run, ESPN gives UConn a 97.5% chance to come away with the win!

As UConn looks to the future, all eyes are on Paige Bueckers as she prepares for what could be her final chapter in a Huskies uniform. Geno Auriemma and the program are already planning ahead with future stars like Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, but everyone involved would want nothing more than to bid the talent guard farewell with a long-awaited championship and I’m sure Paige would want nothing more than to leave by delivering a championship!