Tampa, Fla. — Over her five seasons with the UConn women’s basketball team, Paige Bueckers has worn many hats even stepping into the center position once last year. Though widely recognized as a natural point guard, her versatility makes her nearly positionless. In what has been a standout postseason for the Huskies’ star, Bueckers added another accolade to her already impressive résumé on Friday: she was named the recipient of the ‘Nancy Lieberman Award’, which honors the nation’s top point guard. This marks her second time winning the award, having first received it in 2021.
“I’m truly blessed and honored,” Bueckers said. “All credit goes to God, my teammates, and the coaching staff. Everyone who has supported me this is a team achievement in my eyes. I have immense admiration for Nancy Lieberman. She’s been an incredible mentor, and her contributions to the game mean so much to me.”
As she prepares for her final collegiate game Sunday against South Carolina, Bueckers boasts impressive stats: averaging 20.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists (with a stellar 3.53 assist-to-turnover ratio), and 2.2 steals per game. She’s shooting 53.9% from the field, 42.4% from beyond the arc, and 88.2% from the free throw line.
In her 122-game career at UConn, Bueckers ranks third in total points (2,422) and is ninth in assists (558), just one behind Bria Hartley. She and Diana Taurasi are the only Huskies to rank in the Top 10 for both points and assists. Additionally, with 573 rebounds, 257 steals, and 102 blocks, Bueckers joins Maya Moore as the only players in program history to surpass 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 250 steals, and 100 blocks.
Bueckers recently became the sixth UConn player to be named a WBCA All-American three times, joining greats such as Svetlana Abrosimova, Taurasi, Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Katie Lou Samuelson. She also received the prestigious Wade Trophy on Thursday as the WBCA’s National Player of the Year.
She now joins a distinguished group of UConn players who have won the Nancy Lieberman Award multiple times, including Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Moriah Jefferson, with Renee Montgomery having earned it once.
“It’s amazing,” said teammate Kaitlyn Chen. “Paige is not only a phenomenal talent but also one of the best passers I’ve ever seen or played with. Playing alongside her is effortless because of the way she plays. She truly deserves every honor she receives and more.”
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