“The LeBron James for the girls”: Fans hail Paige Bueckers as UConn star wins 2025 Wade Trophy

Modified Apr 04, 2025 01:40 GMT

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Spokane Regional-USC Trojans vs UConn Huskies - Source: Imagn — Paige Bueckers in the win over USC Trojans. - Source: James Snook, Imagn

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers is putting all her focus on winning her first championship this year. On Monday, March 31, her second-seeded Huskies of Spokane Regional 4 defeated the first seed in the USC Trojans by seven points, 72-65, for their Elite Eight game in this year's national tournament.

The Geno Auriemma-coached squad now advances nearer to their goal of a national title as they ramp up their preparations for a hotly-contested NCAA Final Four fixture. But Bueckers and Co. can celebrate momentarily as the fourth-year star received another individual accolade of her college basketball career.

On Thursday, April 3, it was announced that Bueckers is the 2025 Wade Trophy winner, It is given by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The WBCA determines the award winner annually.

College basketball fans and spectators, especially the UConn faithful, then hailed Bueckers for another achievement in her senior year of collegiate hoops.

"The Lebron (James) for the girls," one fan claimed with crying emojis.

"THE GOAT," another fan exclaimed.

"So proud GOAT," another user asserted with a tearing up emoji.

"I mean this is the Paige Bucketss, love it for her," a fan wrote with several emojis.

Other users then shared their reactions by claiming that Bueckers was the only player this season who deserved to win the award.

"I knew it once I saw the NPOY came out, woohoo," one fan said with a clapping emoji.

"Well, duh, who else was gonna get it," another fan commented with a clapping emoji.

"No one more deserving," a fan posted with a clapping emoji.

On her fourth and likely final year with the Huskies, Bueckers has averaged a team-high 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per contest.

Paige Bueckers continues to credit the people around her for her individual accolades

Expand Tweet

During Paige Bueckers' acceptance speech for the 2025 Wade Trophy, one segment of it included the senior to once again give all the credit to her support system, such as her teammates, coaches and family, as the main factors in her winning awards such as the aforementioned one.

"So many people contribute to an individual award. It's truly a team accomplishment. So, extremely grateful, extremely blessed," Bueckers said. (0:15)

The UConn Huskies are now moving on to their NCAA Final Four matchup in the first seed overall in the UCLA Bruins on Friday, April 4, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

About the author

Koby del Rosario is a college sports journalist at Sportskeeda who took up BS in Advertising Management at De La Salle University, one of the big "four" universities in the Philippines. Koby has over four years of experience with Complex PH, M2.0 Communications, The LaSallian, Daily Tribune, and Time Attack Manila.

Koby's favorite college team would have to be the North Carolina Tar Heels. Apart from being MJ's alma mater, Koby has always been fond of the Jordan silhouettes that release in the school's colors (being a sneakerhead himself).

His past favorite college players would have to be Russell Westbrook (UCLA) and Markelle Fultz (Washington). With Russ, his 1-2 punch with Kevin Love during their UCLA days was something Koby marveled at as Russ became his favorite player to watch post-Kobe.

Besides playing basketball, Koby enjoys nightlife, collecting sneakers, and playing video games. Apart from hosting parties and taking pictures for parties/bars/clubs, Koby is learning to DJ as a hobby with all sorts of house and hip-hop as the main genres.

Know More

Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash