Paige Bueckers wants to change her number to Stephen Curry’s number despite being “lousy shooter," Geno Auriemma jokes

UConn coach Geno Auriemma joked about star guard Paige Bueckers wanting to change her jersey number from No. 5 to No. 30, the number of Golden State Warriors star and two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, despite being a "lousy shooter" from the 3-point line.

The 11-time national champion coach cracked the joke during a postpractice interview with the media in preparation for the Huskies' game against Xavier on Wednesday. The media presser was posted on The UConn Daily YouTube page.

Bueckers was on the sidelines during the practice session due to a left knee sprain she suffered in a loose ball situation during UConn's game against Villanova on Sunday.

"She made one the other day, and you know she's all pumped up. She wants to change her number to Steph Curry's number, I think, but it's already taken," Auriemma quipped.

The legendary coach was trying to crack the whip of UConn basketball beat reporters during the media availability day as no Husky in the current roster wears No. 30.

"We set a record today on our 3-point shooting drill because we got a lousy shooter on the sidelines, so she wasn't involved in the drill and we set the all-time program record for most made 3s. So, some benefits are coming out of it," Auriemma joked.

Auriemma confirmed Paige Bueckers will not play in Wednesday's home game against Xavier and he hopes she'll get back to action in a week.

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Geno Auriemma confirms change to starting lineup in UConn's game vs Xavier

The injury of Paige Bueckers created a major void in UConn's rotation going into its Big East showdown against Xavier. This was confirmed by Huskies coach Geno Auriemma when he said that the starting five would be changed to adjust to Bueckers' absence.

Auriemma didn't mention who would take the guard's place in the starting five but pointed out that he would parade a new lineup for the next few weeks, starting with the game against the Musketeers.

The winningest coach in college basketball also noted that Bueckers' scenario was similar to what Azzi Fudd experienced in December. Fudd was sidelined for two weeks due to a minor knee sprain, and the Huskies didn't need much of her production as other players stepped up in her place.

Auriemma hopes someone from the bench will step up to fill up Bueckers' production when she is out. In 15 games, Bueckers has averaged 19.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

The 6-foot guard shoots 55.9%, including 40.3% from the 3-point line this season. She is tabbed as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

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Who do you think will take the place of Paige Bueckers in UConn's starting lineup in its upcoming game against Xavier? Let us know your insights in the comments section.