University of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers announced on Instagram that she has been cleared from her ACL injury, signaling her return to the basketball court. This news is significant for UConn and the sport as a whole, as Bueckers is considered one of the top players in women’s college basketball. Here’s what you need to know about her return:
Bueckers expressed her excitement in an Instagram post, stating that she is “all cleared and ready for takeoff” after 369 days of recovery. She credits her return to the grace of God. This announcement comes after Bueckers tore her left ACL last August, causing her to miss the entire 2022-23 season. Prior to that, she had already faced injury challenges, including tearing her lateral meniscus and undergoing surgery, which limited her to only 17 games in the previous season.
Huskies coach Geno Auriemma had previously stated in June that Bueckers was 90 percent recovered and expected to be ready for the start of the 2023 season. Now, with her official clearance, Bueckers can rejoin the team and contribute to their upcoming campaign.
Bueckers’ return is significant for UConn, as they aim to bounce back from a season that saw their 14-year Final Four streak come to an end. Her absence was sorely felt by the team and the sport as a whole, as she possesses one of the smoothest shooting strokes in college basketball. With her return, UConn is poised to regain their status as a top contender in women’s college basketball. In fact, they are currently ranked as the No. 2 team on The Athletic’s Way-Too-Early Top-25 list.
Bueckers will be rejoining a talented roster that includes other proven veterans such as Aaliyah Edwards, Nika Mühl, Azzi Fudd, and Caroline Ducharme. While she may need some time to readjust to gameplay, it will be interesting to see how her game has evolved since her injury. Last summer, she expressed a desire to become stronger and more resilient on the court, aiming to hold her ground against tough defenses. If she has achieved this goal, Bueckers could become an even more formidable player.
Despite Bueckers’ return, UConn has not been able to avoid the injury bug entirely. Redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain in July. This unfortunate injury will force her to miss the entire 2023-24 season. El Alfy, who hails from Egypt, had showcased her skills in the tournament, averaging 21.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Her absence will be felt in UConn’s frontcourt.
Looking back at Bueckers’ career, she had an impressive freshman season, averaging 20 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. She received All-American honors and was named the consensus player of the year in college basketball. Prior to her college career, Bueckers was highly regarded as ESPN’s No. 1-ranked player in the 2020 class and was named the national high school player of the year.
Coach Auriemma has praised Bueckers’ dedication and commitment to her recovery process. He believes that she is mentally prepared for her return, emphasizing that this is the strongest and fittest she has ever been. Auriemma also highlighted the importance of taking care of one’s body for a long and successful career.
In conclusion, Paige Bueckers’ return from her ACL injury is a significant development for the University of Connecticut and women’s college basketball. Her presence on the court will undoubtedly bolster UConn’s chances of success in the upcoming season. Fans and basketball enthusiasts alike will be eagerly watching to see how Bueckers’ game has evolved and how she contributes to the team’s performance.