Paige Bueckers Reflects on UConn Career in Video Before Going No. 1 in 2025 WNBA Draft

Paige Bueckers is about to carve out her legacy as the face of the Dallas Wings after she was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 WNBA draft, but she first took the time to reflect on her iconic career at UConn during a sitdown interview with NBC Connecticut.

She opened up about a number of topics, including her relationship with head coach Geno Auriemma, how important her teammates were in her journey and how much pride she takes in carrying on the legacy of the UConn program given its illustrious history of national championships.

And she added to that history this past season by leading the Huskies to their 12th national championship.

While Bueckers was already an all-time great, that title ensured she will be remembered alongside some of the UConn greats such as Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Rebecca Lobo, Tina Charles, Napheesa Collier and so many more.

"You feel a sense of pride to be able to follow in their footsteps," Bueckers said (9:15 mark). "Every single time you put on the UConn uniform, you're representing something so much bigger than yourself. The legacies from the alums have paved the way for us. They taught us how to do it. They showed us how to do it. They've been through everything that we have. Just being able to lean on them and lean on their support. 

"Just knowing they got through some of the tough times and the people who went to UConn have gone on to be some of the greatest basketball players to ever live. So just seeing that and being a part of that, you just want to live up to that and be half as good as they were. It's really inspiring to just look around the gym and look around this building."

One constant throughout that history of championships has been Auriemma, who has 12 national titles and 24 Final Four appearances on his resume. The program is as dominant as any across the college sports landscape in large part because of what he has built, and Bueckers also reflected on her relationship with the legendary coach.

"Me and Coach, we have a fun, loving, tough relationship," she said (4:40 mark). "Tough love, for sure. But he acts like a mentor to me. Somebody who I go to … and sort of pick apart his wisdom and his knowledge and all of his experiences in all aspects of life with how much he's been through and how much he's learned. 

"I call him the evil genius in terms of what he displays on the court and his coaching style. I wouldn't be who I am without his presence and without his guidance and how much I've learned here as a human being and as a basketball player."

Bueckers also said she is "extremely happy" she chose UConn (13-minute mark), which allowed her to live out her "childhood dream" during an experience she wouldn't give up "for the world."

It was an experience that made her a household name.

And now she will be one of the faces of the WNBA as she looks to parlay all the success she had at the collegiate level into more accomplishments against the best players in the world.