The UConn ladies’s basketball crew was dealt a large blow on Wednesday.
Star guard and former Nationwide Participant of the Yr Paige Bueckers will miss all the 2022-23 season as a consequence of a torn ACL in her left knee, which she sustained in a pickup recreation on Monday, the college introduced.
“We’re all devastated for Paige,” head coach Geno Auriemma stated in an announcement. “She’s labored actually exhausting to get stronger and more healthy this offseason, and that is an unlucky setback. Paige is clearly an incredible basketball participant however she’s a greater particular person and teammate and it’s actually unlucky that this has occurred to her.
“We’ll miss her presence on the courtroom, however she’ll do every little thing she will to nonetheless lead and assist her teammates this season. Our program will help Paige by way of her therapeutic course of to assist her come again higher and stronger.”
Bueckers had her sights set on a nationwide championship this coming season, telling Bleacher Report that it was the one factor that might make it a hit.
“Nationwide championship, that’s it,” she stated. “I don’t suppose you’re going to get a unique reply out of me. Attending to the Remaining 4 my freshman 12 months and the nationwide championship final 12 months, the one factor left to do is win it. In order that’s the purpose.”
Bueckers first turned heads with the Huskies as a freshman throughout the 2020-21 season, during which she averaged 20 factors, 4.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists over 29 video games. Her sturdy play helped propel UConn to the Remaining 4, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to defeat Arizona.
Nonetheless, the Minnesota native stuffed up the trophy case in her first season, incomes the Wood Award, Naismith Trophy and AP Participant of the Yr honors.
Bueckers’ sophomore 12 months received off to a powerful begin, although was derailed in December after she sustained a non-contact knee damage that required surgical procedure. She returned later within the season and averaged 14.6 factors, 4 rebounds and three.9 assists en path to main UConn to the nationwide championship recreation. Regardless of shedding to South Carolina within the closing, Bueckers placed on a masterful efficiency with 14 factors and 6 rebounds.
Bueckers will endure surgical procedure on her knee at UConn Well being on Friday.
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