PHOTO: UConn star Paige Bueckers shares throwback snap from 2023 Europe trip ft. Aaliyah Edwards and the Huskies squad

UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers shocked many fans with her decision to stay in college basketball for an extra year even though she was tabbed as a potential lottery pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She could become the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

The popular Bueckers finally parted with her closest friends, Nika Muhl (Seattle Storm) and Aaliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics), even though she supported them heartily during the draft and has attended several of their WNBA games.

On Thursday, Bueckers shared a throwback collage of pictures on her Instagram stories with the Huskies squad, which includes her close friend Edwards.

The collage contained pictures from the Huskies' trip to Europe last summer and was part of a popular Instagram trend named:

"No skipping! You in August last year."

Buecker's IG stories

Paige Bueckers and the three musketeers

The friendship between Bueckers and the other two members of the three musketeers (Muhl and Edwards) did not start at UConn. Muhl and Edwards attended the 2019 NBA Academy Women's Program in 2019 and became friends during the camp.

A few months later, they both committed to coach Geno Auriemma's team, where Bueckers had already committed as the No. 1 prospect in the 2020 recruitment cycle.

In Storrs, they all linked up as freshmen and became friends as they navigated the world of college basketball together.

During an interview with CT Insider a few months ago, Bueckers shared how tight she is with Muhl and Edwards, highlighting that she intends to remain friends with them despite their departures to the WNBA.

“Nika and Aaliyah are like my sisters. They're my bridesmaids. I want them to be like my kids’ godparents, like godmoms,” Bueckers said. “We've built such a strong relationship ever since we came into UConn together as freshmen and it means everything to be here, especially with all the blows we were dealt.

“The adversity that we went through to really come together and find strength within each other and lead this group of freshmen here to the Final Four. It's probably the most rewarding experience we've all had here at UConn and just to embrace it, enjoy it.”

Bueckers, Muhl and Edwards graduated together and have shared pictures of themselves in various social settings since they parted ways on draft night, showing the strength of their friendship.