Paige Bueckers is back in the gym, laser-focused on preparing for her fifth and final season of women’s college basketball at UConn. After a whirlwind summer filled with travel and high-profile appearances, the World Tour has come to an end, and it’s time for the star point guard to lock in.
With UConn’s first game just weeks away, Bueckers knows the stakes are high. The Huskies, as always, are aiming for a national championship, and nothing less than a trip to the Final Four will satisfy their ambitions.
But as tipoff approaches, Bueckers can already anticipate the inevitable criticism from online haters, who will be quick to judge her every move.
This past summer, Bueckers spent as much time away from Storrs as possible, soaking up the offseason before her final run with the Huskies. After finishing classes in May, she hit the road, attending some of the biggest sporting and cultural events across the country.
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Here’s a glimpse of her whirlwind summer:
- June 9: Game 2 of the NBA Finals
- June 29: Washington Mystics vs. Las Vegas Aces
- June 29: Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage
- July 7: Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm
- July 11: The ESPYS
- July 20: WNBA All-Star Game
- August 1: Citi D.C. Open (Tennis)
- August 13: Threw the first pitch at a Minnesota Twins game
- August 15: Minnesota Lynx vs. Washington Mystics
- August 17: Overtime Select Event
- August 23: Minnesota State Fair
- August 30: U.S. Open
- September 1: Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun
- September 1: U.S. Open (again)
- September 7: New York Fashion Week
- September 8: Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty
- September 29: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
And that list may even be missing a few stops, such as her night out with rapper A Boogie following his concert in Hartford. Bueckers’ frequent appearances at sporting events and her high-profile summer became a running joke in the college basketball community on social media. Fans even speculated whether UConn’s star would show up for class, prompting the school’s official social media accounts to playfully reassure everyone that she’d be back on campus in time for the season.
Despite the jokes and speculation, Bueckers knows exactly how much work she’s put in. While her summer was packed with appearances and experiences, it doesn’t mean she wasn’t grinding in the gym when it mattered. As the season draws near, she’s already anticipating the criticism she’ll receive after a bad game. Detractors will inevitably claim that her summer trips distracted her from her training or that her time would’ve been better spent focusing on basketball.
But Bueckers isn’t worried about the noise. She’s ready to face the pressure, knowing the hard work she’s put in behind the scenes. “Only I know how much work I put in all summer,” Bueckers remarked, brushing off the expected backlash.
Now, with her offseason adventures behind her, Bueckers is fully locked in on her final season with the Huskies. The World Tour may be over, but her Farewell Tour is just beginning, and fans are eager to see what she brings to the court in her last run at UConn.
As the Huskies prepare for their season opener on November 3rd, it’s clear that Bueckers is ready to lead them in their pursuit of another national championship. She knows the spotlight will be on her, both from fans who support her and from critics waiting to pounce.
But Bueckers is no stranger to the pressure, and as the season unfolds, she’s determined to write the final chapter of her college career her way.
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