Paige Bueckers named to another award list ahead of new season

One of the biggest faces in women’s college basketball, Paige Bueckers is already being eyed for plenty of the nation’s biggest awards. Days before beginning the 2024-25 season, the UConn guard has been named to the 2025 Nancy Lieberman Award watch list.

The award is given to the best point guard in Division I. She earned the honor in 2021, becoming the first freshman to win the award.

Paige Bueckers’ candidacy for the 26th rendition of the award was announced by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday. In order to win it, the Huskies guard must showcase on- and off-floor leadership, elite playmaking and ball-handling skills, just like Nancy Lieberman did.

The winner will be announced in April at a convention held by the WBCA.

Along with the senior guard, players like Lucy Olsen (Iowa Hawkeyes), Georgia Amoore (Kentucky Wildcats) and Olivia Miles (Notre Dame) are also listed on the watch list, which will be narrowed to 10 names near January.

In case Paige Bueckers wins it, she will become only the fourth UConn player to win the award multiple times, behind Sue Bird (2000-02), Diana Taurasi (2003-04) and Moriah Jefferson (2015-2016).

Paige Bueckers' game might change in the 2024-25 season

A constant theme during UConn’s practices has been around Paige Bueckers’ approach with the ball. Huskies coach Geno Auriemma has made it known that her star guard needs to be more aggressive with her possessions.

So far, Bueckers has taken every word seriously, initiating a changed playstyle and a certain mindset shift.

"A huge thing this summer was a complete shift in mindset," Bueckers said after UConn’s first practice earlier this month. "Obviously, having the game I did in the Final Four wasn't what I wanted to have, and I think it really set in and it really stung me in a different type of way where I had a reality check."

UConn has three players who can run the point. However, Bueckers has been more selfish with the ball in team scrimmages and taking more shots than usual, which is exactly what Auriemma wants from his star.

Bueckers is coming off her career-best season, racking up 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks on more than 50% shooting (41.6% from the 3-point line).