I dislike the whole "she is the next " thing. Maya wasn't the next DT, she was Maya the Great. There will never be a Maya 2. Nor another Stewart. But the first time I watched Bueckers play in a game the way she moved and player reminded me of DT. It was obvious that despite the offense running through, over and around her she wasn't taking many shots, seemingly enjoying finding open teammates. That, and the way she was animated, laughing, filled with confidence. That carried over to this season and last summer at the U17's. This past HS season she showed me something in a big game against another undefeated team. While talented, her team mates include a freshman starter at post and an 8th grader being first off the bench. Only one senior. So the team got a case of nerves in the 1st half and trailed. They came out in the second half and it was "clear out, I'm going to work" for Bueckers as she sliced for layups, hit a couple pull up jumpers, and a couple of 3's, essentially carrying her jittery team mates to the win. The rest of the season it was back to Bueckers setting up the defense and finding teammates, who played fearlessly in the state tournament.
Oh, and unlike DT, she actually plays some defense.
She looks 14 and plays like she's 24.
