‘Whatever she needs’ – Paige Bueckers on JuJu Watkins’ season-ending injury after huge WNBA draft decision
College basketball is losing its biggest stars. Connecticut star Paige Buckers has officially declared for the WNBA draft. Bueckers and head coach Geno Auriemma have developed a strong relationship with one another over the yearsGetty Bueckers informed ESPN of her decision on Friday afternoon ahead of Uconn’s Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma. There was speculation on whether or not Bueckers would explore other options outside the WNBA, but those rumors were put to rest. ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo had the report. “Paige Bueckers confirmed to us today that she will enter the 2025 WNBA Draft. (Some had suggested she would not declare, play in Unrivaled, and then declare in 2026.),” Lobo wrote on X. Bueckers is averaging 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals this season, with shooting splits of .542/.411/.902. In other words, she is going to be the top pick of the draft and the Dallas Wings will take her with the number one overall pick. But first, Bueckers has unfinished business with her Uconn Huskies as they look to take home the national title for the first time since 2016. The star guard also spoke to the media and shared her support for JuJu Watkins, who tore her ACL in USC’s second round win over Mississippi State earlier this week. Bueckers and Watkins are two of the biggest stars in the sport. “Sick to my stomach,” Bueckers said. Watkins and Bueckers are two of the biggest stars in women’s basketball Bueckers and Watkins are 1-1 in their careers against one another “Devastation obviously. You just empathize for her… “We’ve exchanged numbers now, so we’re locked in. “Whatever she needs mentally, physically, needs to vent, ask questions. “It’s a long process and you learn a lot about yourself.” Bueckers can relate to Watkins, because she also suffered a torn ACL, ahead of her junior season that wiped out an entire year. And just before that, she had fractured her knee which required in-season surgery the year prior. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment If anyone knows what it takes to bounce back from a crippling injury and return better than ever, it’s Bueckers. The timeline for Watkins’ recovery is unclear, but the injury will surely keep her out next season, which will then require a decision from the star on whether she wants to turn pro or come back to school and help lead the Trojans to a national title. While questions remain for Watkins and her future, the stage is set for Bueckers. We know what her future holds. This is it for her in a Uconn uniform. The fifth-year senior’s time is up. She is four wins away from bringing the title back to Storrs, Connecticut. It’s now or never for Bueckers. It’s on her to finish what she started all those years ago. How to watch March Madness in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions. This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years. talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service. Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.
College basketball is losing its biggest stars.
Connecticut star Paige Buckers has officially declared for the WNBA draft.
Bueckers informed ESPN of her decision on Friday afternoon ahead of Uconn’s Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma.
There was speculation on whether or not Bueckers would explore other options outside the WNBA, but those rumors were put to rest.
ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo had the report.
“Paige Bueckers confirmed to us today that she will enter the 2025 WNBA Draft. (Some had suggested she would not declare, play in Unrivaled, and then declare in 2026.),” Lobo wrote on X.
Bueckers is averaging 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals this season, with shooting splits of .542/.411/.902.
In other words, she is going to be the top pick of the draft and the Dallas Wings will take her with the number one overall pick.
But first, Bueckers has unfinished business with her Uconn Huskies as they look to take home the national title for the first time since 2016.
The star guard also spoke to the media and shared her support for JuJu Watkins, who tore her ACL in USC’s second round win over Mississippi State earlier this week.
Bueckers and Watkins are two of the biggest stars in the sport.
“Sick to my stomach,” Bueckers said.
“Devastation obviously. You just empathize for her…
“We’ve exchanged numbers now, so we’re locked in.
“Whatever she needs mentally, physically, needs to vent, ask questions.
“It’s a long process and you learn a lot about yourself.”
Bueckers can relate to Watkins, because she also suffered a torn ACL, ahead of her junior season that wiped out an entire year.
And just before that, she had fractured her knee which required in-season surgery the year prior.
March Madness Top Stories
Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson
‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance
March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant
NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever
Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment
If anyone knows what it takes to bounce back from a crippling injury and return better than ever, it’s Bueckers.
The timeline for Watkins’ recovery is unclear, but the injury will surely keep her out next season, which will then require a decision from the star on whether she wants to turn pro or come back to school and help lead the Trojans to a national title.
While questions remain for Watkins and her future, the stage is set for Bueckers.
We know what her future holds.
This is it for her in a Uconn uniform. The fifth-year senior’s time is up.
She is four wins away from bringing the title back to Storrs, Connecticut.
It’s now or never for Bueckers.
It’s on her to finish what she started all those years ago.
How to watch March Madness in the UK
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions.
This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years.
talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service.
Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.
