IN PHOTOS: UConn’s Paige Bueckers celebrates bagging a gold medal during “Husky Olympics” 

Paige Bueckers is preparing for her last shot at an NCAA championship as a Husky. After their Final Four run in the 2024 March Madness fell short, the UConn Huskies will be hoping to end their nine-year title drought this upcoming season.

But as she awaits another shot at the title, Bueckers has bagged herself another award during the team's summer practice sessions at Storrs. After holding its version of the Olympics, UConn posted photos of the gold medalists on their social media. The winners included Bueckers, Aubrey Griffin, Morgan Cheli, Jana El Alfy, Allie Ziebell and Ashlynn Shade.

The UConn Huskies' run last season was hindered by injuries to multiple players. Nika Muhl and Aaliyah Edwards put their everything in the run but the two have now transitioned to the WNBA. This leaves Bueckers to bear the heavy load of leading the team. The guard spoke on this during a media session.

"It's crazy. Because I feel like I don't have Nika, I don't have Aaliyah. So, it's really all on me," she said. "And it's mostly my responsibility. Obviously Aubrey, Azzi and other upperclassmen but I'm the only one on the court right now. So, I'm taking that responsibility and I'm doing it with pride.

I'm making sure that I'm leading these young guys, being a voice for them, leading them, teaching, communicating. And also leading by example in what I do on the court and off the court."

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Paige Bueckers shares her vision for the upcoming season

While she mentioned that she has not given much thought about the end of her college career, Paige Bueckers hinted that this would be her last. With the WNBA and its difference in playing style looming, Bueckers shared her goals for her remaining time at UConn.

“I’m just going to continue to be me, be myself, be the best version of myself every single day,” Bueckers said (via Hartford Courant) “and worry about my team and what my team needs me to do. Whatever happens, happens and continue to do what I do.”

The young guard has struggled with injuries for most of her college career and is still getting used to being healthy.

"It has been a learning process. I never really had this sort of frame and this muscle strength to use my body in this way. I was always like agile and sort of wavy. Now I feel I can play with more force, use my strength on both sides of the ball, play more physically.

After missing the 2022-23 season due to a knee injury, Bueckers came back strong in the last campaign. She averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists as she was named a unanimous first-team All-American.

Do you think Paige Bueckers and the Huskies have a shot at winning the championship next year? Let us know in the comment section below.