UConn has closed one of its most emotional chapters with Paige Bueckers’ departure. Her historic run, capped by a natty, is etched in Gampel Pavilion’s walls. Geno Auriemma often says the highs of Bueckers’ time were unmatched. Still, he knows UConn basketball is bigger than any single player. So, the head coach had made a declaration after a third trophy was lifted in Storrs, and by the looks of it, he is looking to keep his word. Or maybe go beyond it. 

As Paige gears up to bear the Texan heat, a void stares back from the UConn squad. There is no immediate fix for the spot held by the generational talent. But Geno has got to start somewhere, and that somewhere currently happens to be Arizona.

Jerzy Robinson, a rising junior from the West Coast, is at the center of this new chapter. At the EYBL event in Phoenix, Robinson showed why she’s one of the top athletes in the nation. To catch the No.1 recruit of the 2026 class, Geno Auriemma himself traveled to Court 12 at the Phoenix Convention Center. He discussed her moves with all seriousness, making hand gestures, pointing at her. Geno’s serious, and the young talent is proving her caliber. 

Robinson’s team, Sports Academy Swish 17 EYBL, faced off against Team Prime Nation 17 EYBL in a highly anticipated matchup. In a tough game that it was, she finished the day with 25 total points, on a challenging shooting performance (7-25 from the field and 0-7 from three).

However, she didn’t let her struggles affect the rest of her game. Robinson grabbed 11 total rebounds and also dished out 6 assists. With a total of 28 minutes on the floor, she played a key role in keeping her team competitive, though they ultimately lost 54-62.

Jerzy Robinson is no stranger to high-level competition. As the No. 1 recruit her class, she was named MVP of the 2024 FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World Cup, leading Team USA to a gold medal. Back in Arizona, Robinson was a standout for Desert Vista, averaging 22.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a freshman while helping her team secure the first Open Division championship in school history. 

Geno may have said, “That’s three years in a row now that Connecticut basketball rules the world. Next year, we’re gonna make it four!” but he sure isn’t looking to limit it at that. When the Huskies struggled to bag their 12th title, he brought in Bueckers. In 2019, he assured her they were going to do great things together. It took 5 years, but they reached their destination.

“…then three, four years go by, people start telling you that UConn is not UConn anymore and it’s somebody else’s turn. And then five years go by and six years go by and seven years go by,” he expressed speaking of how long a journey it has been. So now that the program is back on top, he is looking to keep it strengthened. But what’s next for Robinson? As she transitions into her new chapter.

Can Paige Bueckers UConn Be the Next Destination for Jerzy Robinson?

Robinson’s recruitment is still wide open, with schools like UConn, South Carolina, and LSU on her radar. But she’s not just about basketball. She wants a program that cares about who she is, not just how she plays. She’s looking for a place that can help her grow as a person, too.

That’s where UConn comes in. Under Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have built a legacy of success, but they’re also about building strong people. Players like Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, and Diana Taurasi have thrived in his system, becoming stars not only in basketball but in life. It’s that kind of culture Robinson is looking for.

What’s more, she has already proven she can step up in big moments. Her performance at the 2024 FIBA where she scored 14 points in just 16 minutes against Australia, showcased her ability to deliver when it counts. Her efforts were key in helping the USA team outscore Australia 31-10 in the third quarter, proving she can take charge in high-stakes situations. This kind of performance is exactly what UConn needs as it navigates the void left by Bueckers.

Robinson has already signed an NIL deal with Nike, a significant milestone that adds to her growing brand. Geno is no nonsense. He looks for someone who strives to meet their goals. If she doesn’t see it, he calls them out. “Here’s your choices: change your goals, or change your work habits,” he once told one of his players. With Robinson looking to grow, the two might just match intensity.