Before becoming a star in the WNBA, Paige Bueckers was a crucial member of the UConn Huskies basketball program.
Paige Bueckers spent her entire NCAA career while donning the UConn Huskies jersey under the leadership of legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
While the two shared some phenomenal moments together, there were times when Bueckers and Auriemma didn't see eye-to-eye.
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
During Bueckers' final season with the Huskies, Auriemma pushed her to the limit, especially after the team's terrible defeat against the Tennessee Volunteers.
After that loss, Bueckers was heavily criticized by Auriemma over a film session, and the rumor mill buzzed with the future WNBA star wanting to leave the Huskies. But Auriemma trashed that rumor while laying out an unexpected silver lining from the altercation.
"No. I might have, like if she was younger, if we hadn't been through what we've been through, she and I for going on five years now, I might have done it a different way.
"But, you know, Paige and I have been through everything you can imagine, every high that you can possibly think of except winning a national championship.
"Every low that can exist in a relationship between a player and a coach over five years. … I laughed when I saw that," Auriemma said.
He added, "And you know the other thing that happened that was the best thing that ever happened? She didn't talk to me for like two weeks. I was like in heaven. It's the best I coached for two weeks."
Well, Bueckers ultimately responded to Auriemma's criticism by playing the best basketball of her collegiate career.
Moreover, Bueckers got the fairy-tale ending after leading the Huskies to the 2025 NCAA Championship over the South Carolina Gamecocks. Weeks later, she was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings.
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