STORRS, Conn. — UConn star Paige Bueckers and coach Geno Auriemma both say they will be back at the school next season.
A senior academically, Bueckers made the announcement during senior night ceremonies at Gampel Pavilion following the team’s 85-44 win over Georgetown on Friday night.
Telling the crowd she wanted to “address the elephant in the room,” Bueckers said, “Unfortunately, this will not be my last senior night here,” eliciting a huge roar from the thousands who stayed to watch the ceremony.
Her 69-year-old coach followed that announcement by ending any speculation that he might retire after this season, his 39th at the school.
He joked to reporters that he was planning to come back next year as well, “until Paige announced that she’s coming back.” He then added, “Yeah, I’ll be back.”
Bueckers was named national player of the year as a freshman, spending that season playing in front of cardboard cutouts during the COVID-19 pandemic and leading the Huskies to the national semifinals where they lost to Arizona.