It takes a lot to find success as a college basketball coach. It’s not just about Xs and Os or even getting the best recruits; you’re also preparing young men and women for life.
That’s one of the reasons why Geno Auriemma has found that much success during his lifelong tenure in charge of the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team.
With that in mind, he shared his thoughts on the biggest changes and improvements he’s seen from her superstar, Paige Bueckers, ahead of what might be her final shot at a National Championship.
Geno Auriemma talks about Paige Bueckers’ growth
“The coaching is less at this time than it was as a freshman because her freshman year, it was all new,” Auriemma said. “There’s an excitement and a newness to the NCAA tournament, and the fact that we were able to go to the NCAA tournament during her freshman year, got to the final four, and be in the bubble, which was not great.”
Paige Bueckers playing for UConn.
Now, the coach acknowledged that Bueckers is much more knowledgeable and, more than that, she’s also grown to become a leader who can help the younger players who were once in her position.
“But that whole year was mostly about trying to get Paige to understand what college basketball is and what’s in store down the road. Now she knows the drill she knows exactly what’s coming ahead of her I think more of getting her to apply what she’s learned to the other players on the floor that don’t have the same level of experience,“ the coach added.
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Bueckers has been spectacular again this season, averaging 19.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 53.6% from the floor. And while she’s still eligible to return for another year, that doesn’t seem likely.
