“They’ve all been gratifying, don’t get me wrong, but this one here, because of the way it came about and what’s been involved, it’s been a long time since I’ve been that emotional when a player has walked off the court,” said UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma about Paige Bueckers back in April. During the WNBA Rookie’s 5 years with her college team, she formed a deep bond with the head coach, based on mutual respect, playful banter, and deep affection. You don’t stay as a team’s head coach for 40 years, and coach the likes of Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart, and yet still give out praise like that if the feeling of respect isn’t mutual. Auriemma is a person Paige Bueckers knows she can reach out to, both during her high and especially low moments.

The UConn

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