Sarah Strong and Paige Bueckers show support as UConn guard inches closer to return from injury

UConn guard Paige Bueckers and forward Sarah Strong expressed their support for injured guard Caroline Ducharme, who is reportedly inching closer to return. Ducharme suited up in the first four games of last season before sitting out the rest of the year due to neck/back issues.

She'll be the third player to return this year after suffering an injury, joining Azzi Fudd and Aubrey Griffin.

Bueckers and Strong were happy for their teammate, who wore the Huskies' warmup attire with her No. 33 jersey peaking out underneath her shirt. She performed UConn's pregame drills of running, shooting and passing.

“Just to know all that she's going through, what she went through, and how hard she's working to get back, the baby milestones and the steps to getting back on the floor, even if it’s just warmups is a huge step,” Bueckers said (2:32). “We’re extremely proud of her and happy for her.”

"It was great to see her," Strong said (2:27). "She works really hard so she deserves to be out there with us."

In three seasons, Ducharme played 58 games, averaging 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Last season, she played four games and averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds.

The guard had a history of concussions, neck injuries and back spasms that hampered her recovery time. It would take her several weeks or months longer than usual to recover enough to play.

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Freshman Sarah Strong is stepping up for UConn to help Paige Bueckers carry the load

Sarah Strong has carried the load for UConn despite being a freshman for Geno Auriemma's squad.

The 6-foot-2, who was the No. 1-ranked freshman in the Class of 2024, has been a beast for the Huskies. In 21 games, she averaged 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. She shoots 58.8%, including 37.1% from 3-point line.

She's been hot in the last three games, averaging 23.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.0 spg and 2.0 bpg. Against Creighton, Strong and Paige Bueckers carried the bulk of the scoring load, combining for 48 points to lead the team to an 11-point win, which kept the Huskies undefeated in the Big East at 10-0 and 19-2 overall.

The forward should sustain her production in the next few games to be in the hunt for the Most Outstanding Freshman award this season and possibly an All-American mention. More importantly, her strength and grit could help Bueckers carry the Huskies back to the title picture after last winning in 2016.