How many college offers did Paige Bueckers have in high school? A look at the star hooper’s recruitment before joining UConn
UConn star guard Paige Bueckers was a sought-after high school prospect who was ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2020 by ESPN. Her on-court brilliance was so amazing that by age 14, she had received scholarship offers from NCAA Division I programs at Minnesota, Iowa State and Illinois.
In her senior year at Hopkins High in Minnetonka, Minnesota, 10 schools tendered serious offers. Ultimately, she chose UConn over Notre Dame, Oregon State, Oregon, UCLA, Minnesota, South Carolina, Maryland, Texas and Duke.
During her announcement, Bueckers admitted that UConn had been her dream school since she was a kid. This was because of the 11 national championships the school won under the guidance of legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
"As a kid, UConn was my dream school. Seeing them win all those national titles and then visiting campus and seeing them up close, it was everything I've dreamed of and more," Bueckers said (per ESPN).
She felt the Huskies would hone her talents and her family liked UConn as her school of choice. Auriemma also told Bueckers he can do great things with her on the roster.
Paige Bueckers delivers for UConn in four seasons she's been with the team
Paige Bueckers and UConn have been a perfect match, as the fifth-year guard has been developed into a superstar who is expected to be the top pick in next year's WNBA draft.
Bueckers has averaged 20.0 points or more in two of the three seasons with the Huskies, including 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks last season.
After suffering an ACL tear on her left knee in August 2022, the 6-foot-0 guard worked her way to recovery. By the 2023-24 season, Paige Bueckers was ready to compete again and lead UConn in the women's college basketball wars.
The 2023-24 season was special for Bueckers as it was the time UConn reached the Final Four despite losing some of its key players due to injury. They were only two points from making it to the finals, losing to the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa in the Final Four, 71-69.
Bueckers opted to return for one more season to help UConn win their 12th title and give coach Geno Auriemma his first title since 2016. In the 2024-25 campaign, she started in four games and averaged an all-around 20.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.8 spg.
Her performance has helped the Huskies take the lead in the Big East standings with a 4-0 record. Bueckers will next play on Monday as UConn troops to the island of Bahamas for the Baha Mar Invitational.
The Huskies will face Oregon State in one of the semifinal doubleheaders. Ole Miss and Boston College will meet in the other game. The winners will earn the two finals tickets and the losers will slug it out for the third-place game on Wednesday.