When UConn star Paige Bueckers broke down in tears while receiving special award
In a wholesome throwback clip, Paige Bueckers can be seen overwhelmed and in tears as her coach and teammates award her the AP Player of the Year for the 2020-21 season.
It's a moment the Huskies star (and the basketball world at large) won't easily forget, as she's the only freshman to ever receive the award. You can watch the special moment in full below:
2021 was a great year for Paige Bueckers
In what could be viewed as one of the greatest individual college seasons by a player in history, Paige Bueckers achieved pretty much everything possible in 2021.
In 2021 alone, not only did she become the first and only freshman to win the AP Player of the Year, but she also won:
Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA National Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award, Nancy Lieberman Award, USBWA National Co-Freshman of the Year (shared with reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark), WBCA Co-Freshman of the Year (also shared with Clark), Big East Player of the Year, Big East Freshman of the Year, and Big East tournament MOP.
She was also named Unanimous First-team All-American, First-team All-American – AP, First-team All-American – USBWA, WBCA Coaches' All-American, and First-team All-Big East in the same year.
Speaking about Bueckers in 2021, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma praised her gameplay at such a young age:
"I think the most impressive thing about Paige is that she plays at the same pace the entire game. That usually comes a bit later for most players, but she's got it at such a young age. She makes the game slow down for her. I'm always surprised when she shoots and it doesn't go in."
Will the 2024-25 season be the last at UConn for Paige Bueckers?
Injuries and bad timing have meant that the Huskies star has only played two full seasons healthy. She's gone to three Final Fours while playing for UConn, but she's yet to win a championship.
Speaking about this in an interview with The Athletic, she confirmed that the 2024-25 season will be her last at college.
“There’s a much larger sense of urgency. This is my last year to get what I came here for, which is a national championship. … No more ‘Passive Paige.’”
Do you think Paige Bueckers can lead the UConn Huskies to a national title this season? Let us know in the comments!