Making Way via Cameron Brink’s Footsteps, 21YO College Star’s Commitment Away From WNBA Gets Paige Bueckers’ Support

The 2023 WNBA Finals is in its most heated phase now. With the Aces on the cusp of securing the championship, fans eagerly await the final outcome of this highly anticipated series against the New York Liberty. However, as the WNBA Finals unfold, there’s also growing excitement surrounding the 2024 WNBA Draft.

The draft class for next year is already generating buzz, with standout prospects Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark set to headline the event. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old college star followed in the footsteps of Cameron Brink, away from the WNBA. And this decision has the support of Paige Bueckers!

21YO College Star forgoes the 2024 WNBA draft

Aaliyah Edwards’ tenure with the UConn women’s basketball team has been a roller-coaster ride, marked by the twists and turns of the challenges brought forth by the pandemic along with a string of basketball triumphs and losses. Edwards won the title of the Big East’s most improved player during her junior year. Averaging 16.6 points per game with 58.9% field goal accuracy, she asserted herself as a force to be reckoned with and led the Huskies in scoring. Nonetheless, UConn’s remarkable streak of Final Four appearances came to a halt with a disappointing Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State, where Edwards recorded a season-low of just four points.

Despite another season marred by injury, Edwards continued to be the team’s rock. She and Lou Lopez Sénéchal were the only two Huskies to play in each of the 37 games. With 1,209 minutes on the court and an average of 32.7 minutes per game, Edwards also topped the team in playing time. Her remarkable nine rebounds per game average was second only to Dorka Juhász’s 9.9 rebounds per game.

Edwards managed to excel as a freshman despite the pandemic’s looming shadow and the uncertainty of the 2020-21 season. She averaged 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a 68.9% field goal percentage throughout that season. Notably, she did this while playing 29 games on an average of 21.8 minutes, 23 of which she came off the bench.

Given her off-season responsibilities with Canada Basketball, which included representing her nation at the Tokyo Olympics, Edwards had some difficulties as a sophomore. Her performance declined when she went back to the college play. Despite the fact that she started every game, her statistics deteriorated, with averages of 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds, as well as fewer blocks, more mistakes, and a shooting percentage of 52.1%.

She chose to follow in Cameron Brink’s footsteps away from the WNBA.

Read More: Which Player Has Won the Most WNBA Championships?

Cameron Brink, the standout talent from Stanford’s women’s basketball team decided to forgo the 2023 WNBA draft and return for her senior season with the Cardinal. The eligibility criteria for the WNBA Draft stipulate that U.S. players must reach the age of 22 in the calendar year of the draft. Brink, who was born on December 31, 2001, barely meets this requirement, making her eligible for the highly anticipated 2023 draft by a mere single day.

Edwards, on the other hand, born on July 9, 2002, will be eligible for the 2024 WNBA Draft, as she will turn 22 years old in the calendar year of the draft. However, she will be continuing her journey with the Uconn Huskies, forgoing the draft.

Meanwhile, Paige Bueckers was all in support of the 21-year-old player’s decision. She shared the post on her story, rooting for her teammate. However, as the season draws to an end, Paige Bueckers has a crucial decision to make.

Will Paige Bueckers declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft?

After a challenging year of recovery, Paige Bueckers is gearing up for her long-awaited return to the court. Bueckers, who endured a tibial plateau fracture, lateral meniscus rupture, and a torn ACL in her left knee in December 2021, was forced to sit out the entire 2022-23 season.

Over the past few months, Bueckers has been relentlessly working on herself. She gained around 15 pounds since her freshman year, dedicating herself to getting stronger. Bueckers received complete medical clearance just last month. Still, she made the decision not to join her UConn teammates for their exhibition matches in Europe.

Now aged 21 and approaching her 22nd birthday on October 20, Paige Bueckers still has three years of collegiate eligibility left, with the extra year granted to student-athletes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a recent media interaction, the question of Bueckers’ NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals arose. Some speculated that financial considerations could influence her decision about her WNBA draft. However, Bueckers was quick to clarify her priorities. “I’ve said before, I just love the college experience,” she emphasized. “I love being here at UConn and putting on that UConn jersey every single day. It’s more about the basketball and the school aspect for me.”

Notably, Paige Bueckers earns $641,000 from her NIL deals.

Watch This Story: $170,000,000-Worth Dwyane Wade Expects to Enjoy Investment in WNBA Team More Than in NBA’s Utah Jazz

Do you think Bueckers will declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft? Or will she follow in Edward’s footsteps? Let us know in the comments below!