Paige Bueckers was asked if all UConn's injuries will impact her decision about whether to return next season | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Paige Bueckers was asked if all UConn's injuries will impact her decision about whether to return next season

I really hope she and Aaliyah return for their Covid year. The team will have young posts next year and we don’t know how Jana will adjust to the college game. Unless something clicks for Ice soon
 
my2cents said:
Playing Basketball with her friends is her top priority.
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Fans: Going to miss Paige playing for UConn next season.
Paige: Don't worry. Be happy.


Paige might also want one more season to learn from Master Geno for her future head coaching career.
 
ScottCT said:
She was here during the covid season. It was her freshman season.
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She played a full season. Even made it to the final 4. I’m not sure why you are then lumping her sophomore year and “covid” season together.
 
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EricLA said:
Certainly great news on Paige, even if not set in stone. Agree with you on Nika and Aaliyah, but Aubrey? She will miss the entire WNBA season with her injury if it's an ACL. If the surgery is successful, she could be back to playing as early as November/December next year (ish. I have no idea on the severity and what not etc., or a possible timeline for her return).

My point is - I'm not sure a player who is currently out with an ACL, who was just coming back from back surgery with the coaches saying numerous times "we can only play Aubrey for 3-4 minute stretches" would even get drafted. She could try her luck overseas and then see about joining a WNBA team next April.

It's all speculation, but wouldn't it make sense for her to come back to UCONN, play as much as she can when she can, use her last year of eligibility, and at least show GM's in the W what she can do when healthy? I think she'd be drafter higher in the 2025 draft, if she even would be drafted by a team in 2024...

BTW on edit - i was just listening to Geno's pre-game presser with the Horde and he was asked about Aubrey. One thing he said is "Right after her injury she asked me if she had any eligibility left". And he told her "yeah - actually you have the covid year"...
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EricLA- - - Over 10 years ago Tamika Catchings had an ACL tear near the end of her senior season at TN and Indiana took her 3rd anyway in the April draft knowing she couldn't play that season! If Aubrey declares for the WNBA I'd bet the ranch some team would take a chance and draft her!
But I think Aubrey will come back because she doesn't want to end her UConn career this way!
 
RSHERMVIKES said:
EricLA- - - Over 10 years ago Tamika Catchings had an ACL tear near the end of her senior season at TN and Indiana took her 3rd anyway in the April draft knowing she couldn't play that season! If Aubrey declares for the WNBA I'd bet the ranch some team would take a chance and draft her!
But I think Aubrey will come back because she doesn't want to end her UConn career this way!
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With all due respect, Catchings was a generational talent and a NPOY candidate. Aubrey is a good player but nowhere near the level of Catch.

I suspect Paige comes back even though at worst she would go 3 in the draft.
 
RSHERMVIKES said:
EricLA- - - Over 10 years ago Tamika Catchings had an ACL tear near the end of her senior season at TN and Indiana took her 3rd anyway in the April draft knowing she couldn't play that season! If Aubrey declares for the WNBA I'd bet the ranch some team would take a chance and draft her!
But I think Aubrey will come back because she doesn't want to end her UConn career this way!
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Ain’t no way a team would take that chance. This years draft class is going to be a great one. I love Aubrey but why use a pick for a player that won’t play
 
Geew1992 said:
Ain’t no way a team would take that chance. This years draft class is going to be a great one. I love Aubrey but why use a pick for a player that won’t play
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144 roster spots in WNBA. 3 rounds in WNBA draft. 36 players drafted. Half players drafted do not make opening day roster.
 
Geew1992 said:
She didn’t play at UConn the covid season. She came in the following year
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Geew1992 said:
She played a full season. Even made it to the final 4. I’m not sure why you are then lumping her sophomore year and “covid” season together.
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Yeah, more so that she didn't get the full college basketball experience during that first year and they didn't play some big games because of COVID. I remember being excited that they were going to play Baylor on the road but it ended up getting cancelled. I also think they were supposed to matchup with Hailey Van Lith and Louisville that season and it got cancelled as well.
 
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Geew1992 said:
Ain’t no way a team would take that chance. This years draft class is going to be a great one. I love Aubrey but why use a pick for a player that won’t play
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You mean like Dallas did with Lou, taking her 5th and putting her on the shelf? Or taking the injured center 4th knowing she could not play? Stashing players happens all the time in the WNBA.
 
Notyetready said:
You mean like Dallas did with Lou, taking her 5th and putting her on the shelf? Or taking the injured center 4th knowing she could not play? Stashing players happens all the time in the WNBA.
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Different drafts. And Dallas didn’t know Lou would need surgery. Or that she’d be out for the season.
 
Geew1992 said:
Does Azzi get a redshirt year? I don’t know exactly how that works. Which is why I’m asking.

The question is, are there enough scholarships for 2 to return, the 2 coming in next year and hopefully strong??
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She could apply for a medical hardship waiver to get this season back since she played so few games.
 
CTBballfan243 said:
A some point you need to move on and let the players behind you take the reins. What about the recruiting class coming in, and this years freshmen class?? In order for them to grow hey need to take over the leadership roles. UConn/Geno need to make sure they aren't creating a log jam at certain positions and scare off recruits.
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Paige hasn't had a full college career. I bet if you asked Ash, Azzi, Caroline, Ayanna, KK, Q and Ice if they want to take over the reigns or have the best all around player in the country come back, keep the reigns, and teach them they would leap at the opportunity.
 
It wasn’t long ago that players always used their full eligibility. The first time I recall a Uconn player pass on a redshirt year was Morgan Tuck. But her case was quite unique, the program won 4 championships during her time on campus!

The fact that Paige would be using her redshirt year, as opposed to the option of a COVID 5th season makes me believe she’s more likely to come back. Just a few years ago it wouldn’t have even been a question. Gives her another shot at a NC, to play with many of her injured teammates, and gives her a more traditional college career. It speaks volumes to her talent that she’s basically played 2 seasons worth of games, and is expected to be a major player once she goes pro.
 
CTBballfan243 said:
A some point you need to move on and let the players behind you take the reins. What about the recruiting class coming in, and this years freshmen class?? In order for them to grow hey need to take over the leadership roles. UConn/Geno need to make sure they aren't creating a log jam at certain positions and scare off recruits.
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If arguably the best player in the country says she want to come back for another year and the coach says no,that coach should be fired that same day.
 
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Aubrey may come back. If she were to enter the draft, she is clearly worth a second or third round pick, in my opinion. Players picked after the first round generally do not make a team. If I were a GM, I'd take her.
 
Obviously wish for the speediest revovery
For all the injured players
It seems that it takes a full year to be cleared
For full contact( Paige ..olivia miles at ND) following ACL surgery
Both Azzi and Aubrey had previous ACL surgery
And don’t know how that affects their recovery
It would seem very optimistic to think either player
Would be ready for the start of next season
Im sure all concerned will take the long view and focus on complete recovery and not focus on
Next season’s return
 
jeff30189 said:
Aaliyah is going pro for sure. Nika could play in Europe and do well financially, but she's not likely to be drafted by an WNBA team. The last thing this team needs is more guards, but..... do you think she'd come back for her 5th year simply to improve her skills as an off-guard?
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UConn is not the program for Nika if she is trying to hone her skills because the framework of the team will come first. She could go to a school that would let he go crazy shooting but in the end I don't think that will help her. She will play in the WNBA because she plays defense but I agree her real opportunity will most likely be overseas.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Aubrey may come back. If she were to enter the draft, she is clearly worth a second or third round pick, in my opinion. Players picked after the first round generally do not make a team. If I were a GM, I'd take her.
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And if I was your owner, you'd probably be fired. You want to draft a player, mostly for her athleticism (she's not a great shooter, she's not tall), who has knee and back issues. And she can't play for you til season after next. And you haven't seen her return from injuries.

I just don't see a GM wanting to keep their job, drafting her in the 2024 Draft.
 
It's too early to talk about this. If I were Paige, I will not stay for another year. It's like a curse for the injuries. Terrible.
 
Allison Feaster, Sarah Strong’s Mom, liked this post on Instagram.

IMG_7393.jpeg
 
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darrell said:
Allison Feaster, Sarah Strong’s Mom, liked this post on Instagram.

View attachment 94945This sounds encouraging to me.... the stars are starting to align in the heavens.... I always did enjoy the Stanford vs. Harvard, NCAA game.
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I also remember "who" made it happen for the CRIMSON! Go Sarah! GO UCONN! JOIN THE "TEAM" and "the Teammates!"
 
Rowdy831 said:
UConn is not the program for Nika if she is trying to hone her skills because the framework of the team will come first. She could go to a school that would let he go crazy shooting but in the end I don't think that will help her. She will play in the WNBA because she plays defense but I agree her real opportunity will most likely be overseas.
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Agree with your points and I also don't think Nika is that type of player to jack up a bunch of shots, so she probably wouldn't even be super comfortable in that structure. I think based on the type of player Nika is - she could be successful in the WNBA if she can hit open shots, which she's showing this year that she is capable of doing. No franchise is going to see her as a big scorer, but a very solid backup PG who can defend 1-3, pass, and hit open shots when needed. I think she has a solid shot.
 
BobbyJ said:
Allison Feaster is a wise woman. Let's hope she's the one at the steering wheel of this bus. ;)
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This sounds like "Mother knows best!". My Mom had the insight and humor to guide
our "clan" in difficult times! Like Geno just remarked in his pre-Providence interview:
"Just Make the Next Play". It's Sarah's decision.... I hope that she gets a chance to play
with Paige!
 
meyers7 said:
And if I was your owner, you'd probably be fired. You want to draft a player, mostly for her athleticism (she's not a great shooter, she's not tall), who has knee and back issues. And she can't play for you til season after next. And you haven't seen her return from injuries.

I just don't see a GM wanting to keep their job, drafting her in the 2024 Draft.
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She probably won't be in the 2024 draft, but I think she's a better option than most 3rd round picks.
 
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