Geno Auriemma says Paige Bueckers should "take more risks" and not fixate on perfectionism before UConn star's 100th college game

When Paige Bueckers guided by coach Geno Auriemma steps onto the court at Villanova’s Finneran Pavilion this Sunday, she will celebrate her 100th game as a member of the UConn women’s basketball team. The No. 7 Huskies (12-2, 3-0 Big East), are focused on preserving their unbeaten Big East streak.

UConn’s head coach has expressed his desire for Bueckers to unleash her full potential. In an interview with CT Insider on Friday, Auriemma commented on Bueckers' status as a player, saying:

"I’d like to see her be a little more free and experiment a little more. She values this efficiency thing. I’d like to see her take more risks, but that’s always the case with me and our best players. I don’t want them to worry about being perfect."

As Bueckers reaches this career milestone this weekend, another major achievement is on the horizon. She needs just 33 points to become the 12th player in UConn history to score 2,000 career points.

Her personal best of 34 points, recorded against Arkansas during her sophomore season opener, makes it likely that she’ll achieve the feat against Villanova.

Paige Bueckers' dominance beyond the court

While Bueckers is making history on the court, her success extends into the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) space as well. In 2024, she emerged as the highest-earning female athlete, according to NIL Store, with her market valuation estimated at $1.4 million for the 2024-25 season by On3.

Her popularity is also evident in her merchandise sales, with her white jersey ranking as the second-highest seller of 2024. Her navy and pink jerseys also gained traction, with the latter ranking within the top 20. However, Bueckers narrowly lost the top jersey spot to Boise State football standout Ashton Jeanty in the final weeks of December.

Buecker released her exclusive “Streetwear” collection, which topped the NIL Store’s 2024 drop sales. She further designed and launched a Nike Player Edition basketball shoe, the G.T. Hustle 3, becoming the first NIL athlete to achieve such a feat.

Her endorsement portfolio includes partnerships with major brands like Bose, Gatorade, and Dunkin’. Additionally, Bueckers holds an equity stake in the newly founded Unrivaled, a women's 3x3 basketball league founded by former UConn stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies are scheduled to take on the Wildcats at 1.30 P.M. EST.