$18 million worth Geno Auriemma highlights 1 Paige Bueckers trait that makes UConn teammates be “better players”
Before Paige Bueckers led Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies with 25 points against Notre Dame on Thursday, she went through a lean two-game stretch against the Holy Cross Crusaders and Louisville Cardinals.
Bueckers combined for just 19 points on 6 of 20 shooting from the floor and 3 of 10 from the 3-point line. However, Auriemma believes Bueckers' unselfishness helped the Huskies emerge victorious in those contests.
On the "UConn Radio Network," Auriemma, who has a net worth of $18 million (as per Celebrity Net Worth), highlighted Bueckers' contribution to the squad despite the defensive assignments against her. He commended Bueckers' team-first approach, citing that she refrains from taking bad shots and aims to create an impact in multiple ways, making the entire roster better.
"Every time Paige has the ball and we would get ball screen, they were trapping her," Geno Auriemma said (3:12). "Well, that opens up a four on three situation and you have to capitalize on it and they kept doing it and we kept capitalizing on it.
"So, Paige just being on the floor helps everybody else be a better player and she's so unselfish she's not going to go out there and just start taking bad shots just to shoot the ball. And she's going to do other things, 10 rebounds and she's going to play good D and going to get her number of assists."
Geno Auriemma's thoughts on Paige Bueckers' signature shoes
Paige Bueckers made history when she debuted her Paige x Nike GT Hustle 3 against Louisville on Dec. 7. She became the first college athlete to have a custom sneaker with Nike. Bueckers gifted a pair of sneakers to Geno Auriemma and her teammates.
While some of her teammates rocked the kicks against Louisville, Auriemma is yet to wear them. Nevertheless, the coach approved the look of the sneakers, commending the colors her star guard picked.
"I love them," Geno Auriemma said to UConn Daily (16:40). "I think they're really cool. She picked out some great colors. They look great - in person, on TV. It's a really cool shoe and the players like it. They say it's comfortable, I'll take their word for it."
"I have a pair. I don't know if they're my size. I haven't opened the box."
The Paige x Nike GT Hustle 3 showcases a combination of light blue, white, fuchsia and purple. UConn’s area code (860) and her hometown Edina’s area code (612) are embroidered on the tongue, representing her basketball journey.