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UConn Basketball Alums: Huskies Standouts Earn WNBA Honors
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- UConn Basketball Alums: Huskies Standouts Earn WNBA Honors
Congratulations are in order for former UConn Huskies women's basketball alums Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers, who earned recognition from the WNBA on Saturday.
With the WNBA Finals still going on, the league named it's All-WNBA teams , with Stewart earning a spot on the first team and Bueckers earning a spot on the second team in just her second year.
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The 32-year-old Stewart, of the New York Liberty, averaged 20.8 ppg this season, her most since 2023. In 42 games, she also averaged 8.3 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists. The Liberty earned the No. 8 seed in the WNBA playoffs and were beaten by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals. This is her seventh time on the first team.
In addition to being accomplished at the WNBA level, she is one of the best players in Huskies history. A four-year standout, Stewart was a national champion in all four seasons. She was also a three-time All-American, a three-time AP Player of the Year, a three-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and a three-time All-Region selection. She was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament in all four seasons and averaged 17.6 ppg for her career. She played for the Huskies during both the Big East and AAC years.
She became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm. She is an eight-time All-Star and a two-time MVP. She is one of seven UConn alums to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, including Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles and Maya Moore.
After being chosen No. 1 in 2025, Bueckers led the Wings to a great turnaround and a playoff berth (No. 7 seed) in 2026. She averaged 20.9 ppg and 5.9 assists. The Rookie of the Year a season ago, she's already a two-time All-Star.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles against the Golden State Valkyries during the third quarter of game three of the first round for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
One of the most decorated players in UConn history also, Bueckers averaged 19.8 ppg for her career in Storrs. She helped the Huskies win the national title for the 12th time in 2024-25 as she averaged 19.9 ppg.
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A three-time Big East Player of the Year, she was also a Naismith Award Winner, a Wooden Award winner, a three-time All-American and a winner of the Wade Trophy.
Also of note
While it doesn't matter in terms of WNBA awards, it should be noted that both Stewart and Bueckers won the gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. The Americans defeated France to win the gold medal. Stewart was named the MVP of the tournament.
