WATCH: UConn star Paige Bueckers once endorsed Raptors’ Scottie Barnes as the top breakout candidate
In October 2022, Paige Bueckers appeared on ESPN's NBA Today while she was in the middle of her recovery process. The UConn Huskies guard suffered a season-ending ACL injury on August 1 and had surgery four days later.
During the interview, they talked about her knee rehabilitation, her use of the "Mamba Mentality," and her experience assisting the coaching staff. Bueckers was also asked to predict an up-and-coming player who could have a breakout 2022-23 NBA season. While Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Josh Giddey and Tyrese Haliburton were some of the viable options, Bueckers endorsed Scottie Barnes.
"I think Scottie. I love Scottie's game," Buckers said. "He's super versatile. Can do everything on offense and defense. And I mean, won Rookie of the Year, so it's only up from here."
Barnes earned 48 first-place votes (out of 100) to win the 2021-22 NBA RoTY award with 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1 steal and 0.7 blocks while leading all rookies in minutes played (35.4).
He started each of his 74 games and became the first player in Toronto Raptors history to touch 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists in a season.
Bueckers' prediction about Barnes did not come true
Bueckers advocating for Barnes echoed what Toronto fans expected from their rising star. However, the small forward failed to top his award-winning rookie year. He played 76 games in the 2022-23 season where he recorded 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals. Moreover, his shooting efficiency dropped from the floor as well as the 3-point line.
Nevertheless, Barnes promised to be one of the most consistent players on the Raptors roster. He touched 20 points 18 times throughout the season along with a 32-point game against Utah.
As Toronto steadily began building around its young players during the 2023-24 season, Barnes averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals and a 34.1% three-point clip (all career highs).
With that, the 2024-25 season could be Barnes' year to shine as the Raptors are in a position to surround him with plenty of supporting pieces and complimentary shooters in the offseason.