SAN ANTONIO — Days after helping the UConn women advance to the program’s 27th straight Sweet 16, freshman Paige Bueckers is earning more national recognition for her contributions this season.
Bueckers was named to the 2021 John. R Wooden Award All-American Team on Friday, making her a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award that honors the most outstanding player in the country.
Bueckers leads the Huskies with 19.9 points on 53.9% shooting (46.7% on 3s) and 6.0 assists per game. This is just the latest distinction she has received after being named an Associated Press First Team All-American, Big East Player and Freshman of the Year and Big East tournament Most Outstanding Player.
The other Wooden Award finalists are Rhyne Howard (Kentucky), Aliyah Boston (South Carolina), NaLyssa Smith (Baylor) and Dana Evans (Louisville). The winner will be announced on April 5 on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
Across the first two games of the NCAA Tournament, Bueckers averaged 22 points on 53.8% shooting (2 for 6 on 3s and 14 for 15 from the free-throw line), seven rebounds, five assists and 3.5 steals per game.
