UConn W Basketball

UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers was helped off the court after suffering a non-contact injury in Sunday's game against Notre Dame:

The issue came as she was bringing the ball up the court in the final minute of what was an eventual 73-54 victory.

"The doctors did a quick examination and they're going to wait for the ice to come off, and then they'll know more and then an MRI," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said after the game. "On the replay, it looked like it probably hyperextended, best-case scenario." 

Bueckers had a game-high 22 points with five steals, four assists and four rebounds before coming out of the game.

The guard was the first freshman in NCAA women's basketball history to be named the National Player of the Year.

Bueckers finished last season averaging 20.0 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game, hitting 46.4 percent of her shots from three-point range. She became a go-to option for a squad that reached the Final Four last season.

Expectations were even higher going into her sophomore year, and the Minnesota native came through with averages of 21.0 points, 6.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds through five games entering Sunday.

A significant injury could create problems for Connecticut as it tries to build off its 5-1 start to the season.

Christyn Williams would have to step up offensively for the Huskies, especially after the guard scored just four points against Notre Dame. Evina Westbrook and Caroline Ducharme would also see bigger roles in the backcourt.

UConn freshman sensation Azzi Fudd has signed a "multidimensional name, image and likeness contract" with SC30 Inc., a brand created by Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.

Janie McCauley of the Associated Press reported Wednesday that Curry will mentor the 5'11" guard to help balance the demands of college classes, basketball and "being a face for female athletes."

"Azzi Fudd is the best choice to start a brand relationship like this because she is the next face of women's basketball and has been a part of SC30 Inc. and the Curry Brand family since she was an invitee to the All-American Camp," Curry said.

Fudd was the No. 1 prospect in the 2021 women's recruiting class based on the ESPNW rankings. The Virginia native was a standout performer at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C.

The guard is averaging 7.5 points through her first four college appearances while serving in a sixth-woman role for the star-studded Huskies.

Fudd said she's "really excited" about the partnership with Curry and SC30, per McCauley:

Since I first met Steph at his camp a few years ago, I've stayed connected to him and have always admired his incredible talent and accomplishments, but also his humility and the impact he has on people. As I continue to focus on becoming the best player and student I can be while in college, I also look forward to broadening my understanding of business and life beyond basketball. This partnership with Steph and his SC30 team will help me do that. I'm really excited about everything we'll do together in the future.

Meanwhile, Curry explained the NIL deal will go beyond basketball and focus on teaching the rising star about finding the "right partners" for success off the court:

Our values are aligned when it comes to family, and in terms of hard work and for the appreciation of blessings in your life. For me, this is the right time because I have identified the platforms that I have, aligning purpose over profit, and the ability to collaborate with the right partners for the right opportunities. I want to be able to unlock that for Azzi, and for other talented athletes and influencers that see the world the same way I do. It is my hope that we can inspire the next generation of athletes and non-athletes who want to do amazing things.

Curry is one of the best in the sports world to learn from in that regard. Forbes estimates the two-time NBA MVP earns $40 million annually from endorsement deals.

Fudd and the Huskies are back in action Friday when they open Big East play by visiting Walsh Gymnasium to take on Seton Hall.

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma called out star guard Paige Bueckers after the team's 73-57 loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Monday. 

"I don't think she was any good today, to be honest," Auriemma said of Bueckers after the game. "I thought the first half, there were a lot of great moments that she had but I think for the entire second half, I don't think she was much of a factor."

The sophomore led the No. 2 Huskies with 19 points and seven assists in the Battle 4 Atlantis matchup, but only six of her points came in the second half. She was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as UConn was outscored 16-3.

There are lofty expectations on Bueckers entering the season after she became the first freshman ever to be named the Associated Press National Player of the Year in women's basketball.

She averaged 20.0 points, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game last year while leading the squad to the Final Four.

Bueckers has been a bit more inconsistent to start 2021-22, scoring 34 in the season-opener before being held to 29 points over the next two games combined. After her 1-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc on Monday, the guard only has a 27.8 three-point percentage (5-of-18) through four games.

Auriemma is clearly holding her to a high standard and is looking for more out of the talented player.

On the other end of the court, Aliyah Boston emerged as a Player of the Year contender herself with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the marquee battle.    

Connecticut star Paige Bueckers signed a deal with StockX to become a brand ambassador for the company.

According to ESPN's Nick DePaula, Bueckers will be a "centerpiece" of StockX's upcoming advertising campaigns focused on women's sports.

She provided a statement about the partnership:

As the NCAA rolled out its new rules regarding name, image and likeness, the Huskies guard figured to be a big beneficiary.

Bueckers built a national profile in high school in Hopkins, Minnesota, and she delivered on the hype as a freshman. She averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 29 games en route to a Final Four appearance.

Rachel Bachman of the Wall Street Journal estimated the 5'11" playmaker could earn upwards of $1 million based on her overall reach. In August, she signed with Wasserman Media Group to handle her NIL business.

Connecticut star Paige Bueckers didn't wait long to capitalize on the NCAA's new rules regarding name, image and likeness.

The 5'11" guard filed an official trademark application on her "Paige Buckets" nickname in July.

She has also signed with Wasserman to represent her in NIL negotiations, joining Stanford star Cameron Brink.

Bueckers is already one of the most recognizable names in women's college basketball after having built a national profile in high school. She burnished her reputation by averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds in her first year with the Huskies.

Her popularity and the impact it could have on women's basketball were cited in an independent gender equity review commissioned by the NCAA.

Bueckers stands to be a big beneficiary of the new NIL legislation. The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Bachman reported one estimate pegged her potential earnings at $1 million annually.

After becoming the biggest star in women's college basketball as a freshman, Connecticut's Paige Bueckers was named the 2021 Naismith Women's Player of the Year.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Saturday that Bueckers beat out Kentucky's Rhyne Howard, Louisville's Dana Evans and South Carolina's Aliyah Boston. The 19-year-old was the first freshman to win the women's award in its 39-year history, and she joined Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson as the only first-year players to claim the honor.

Bueckers was the seventh player in UConn women's basketball history to win the award. She joined Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Tina Charles and Breanna Stewart.

Coming out of Hopkins High School in Minnesota, Bueckers was the most-hyped player in the 2020 recruiting class and was ranked as the best overall recruit by ESPN.com.

Bueckers put up 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals in her first college game and averaged 20.0 points on 52.4 percent shooting, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

Bueckers helped UConn win the Big East regular-season and tournament titles and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA women's tournament before it bowed out to Arizona in the Final Four. She was named Big East and Associated Press Player of the Year.

A phenomenal collegiate season for UConn first-year guard Paige Bueckers ended in the Final Four after the Huskies fell to Arizona 69-59 on Friday.

After the game, Bueckers was asked what she learned this season and what she's looking forward to next season:

Bueckers has racked up the accolades this season, winning the Big East Player of the Year and espnW Player of the Year awards in addition to being named an Associated Press First-Team All-American.

The AP also named Bueckers as its Player of the Year, marking the first time the honor has been given to a first-year player in women's hoops.

She's also one of five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the most outstanding women's and men's college basketball players.

Bueckers finished the season averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game for a Huskies team that went 28-2.

Connecticut women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma responded to LeBron James about the controversial non-call late in the Huskies' 69-67 win over Baylor in the Elite Eight on Monday.

James tweeted that Connecticut should have been called for a foul on DiJonai Carrington's last-second field-goal attempt:

Auriemma told reporters James has never won a game in his career on a foul that wasn't called "and decided to give it back because he looked at it and went, 'That was a foul.'"

Aaliyah Edwards and Olivia Nelson-Ododa appeared to make contact with Carrington as she went up for a jumper with five seconds remaining as the Lady Bears trailed 68-67.

Referees didn't call a foul on the play. Christyn Williams grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Baylor, and she made one of two free throws to preserve the win and send the Huskies to the Final Four for the 13th consecutive tournament.

"What did you see? Then write it like that," Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey told reporters after the game. "You don't need a quote from me. I've got still shots and video from two angles. One kid hits her in the face, and one kid hits her on the elbow."

Mulkey replied "it doesn't matter" when asked if anything could be done about the questionable calls.

The officials did review the foul on Williams to determine if more time should be put back on the clock, but they aren't allowed to use replay review on foul calls.

The loss snapped Baylor's 20-game winning streak. Connecticut will play Arizona in the Final Four on Friday.

Many tuned in to Saturday's women's Sweet 16 to get their first glimpse of what should be a longtime rivalry between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark.

Most walked away as Christyn Williams fans.

Williams dropped 27 points to take the starring spotlight away from the fantastic freshmen, leading Connecticut to a 92-72 victory over Iowa. 

The Huskies made their 15th straight Elite Eight and are one win from their 13th consecutive Final Four. UConn will match up with the winner of Baylor-Michigan, which is set for 3 p.m. ET Saturday.

Bueckers finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a stellar all-around performance. The National Player of the Year favorite did most of her damage in the second half, coming alive as a scorer after Williams picked up the slack in the first half to give UConn a 14-point advantage going into the break.

In fact, the Huskies' all-around brilliance may have been the biggest story. Evina Westbrook finished one rebound short of a triple-double with 17 points and 10 assists. Aaliyah Edwards added 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting.

The Huskies defense also did a great job of keeping Clark in check. The guard finished with 21 points and five assists but shot 7-of-21 from the field and turned the ball over five times.

McKenna Warnock added 20 points for the Hawkeyes.

Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the 2021 NCAA women's basketball tournament. 

Deena Casiero, UConn's director of sports medicine and head team physician, issued a statement:

"After we received notification of the positive test result yesterday, we initiated contact tracing protocols, which included interviewing individual members of the basketball program and in-depth video analysis of practice. Only household close contacts were identified. Given the fact that we have been doing daily testing for the past seven days, we feel confident that we were able to catch this very early on in the disease process. The remainder of Tier I tested negative yesterday and today."

According to the school, Auriemma "did not have close contact" with anybody on the team since March 12. The Huskies haven't played since beating Marquette in the Big East championship game on March 8.

The legendary coach, who UConn said received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on March 10, won't be able to rejoin his team until at least March 24, which is the second day of the second round. The Sweet 16 tips off March 27.

Associate head coach Chris Dailey will presumably be in charge for the time being. Dailey joined Auriemma in Storrs, Connecticut, when he first took the job in 1985, and she has remained there ever since. She was promoted to her current role in 1988.

That level of continuity should guarantee there isn't a big drop in the team's performance.

In general, Connecticut shouldn't have much trouble handling its first two games of the Big Dance. The Huskies, 24-1, are a lock for a No. 1 seed, and they sat atop the selection committee's most recent top-16 rankings.

UConn also counts one of the best players in college basketball among its ranks.

Paige Bueckers is averaging 19.7 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. The highly touted freshman guard has lived up to the hype, raising the ceiling for a roster that already included Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook and Aubrey Griffin.

The Huskies will learn their path to the Final Four during Monday night's selection show.