Why does UConn's Paige Bueckers wear number 5?

UConn star Paige Bueckers has become a household name in the world of college basketball. She enters her final year at Connecticut with tremendous hype and high expectations from her team and fans.

Almost everyone is familiar with her incredible skill set and the impact she has on the game, along with the no. 5 jersey number she wears. However, some may not know the reason behind the Minnesota native deciding to wear no. 5.

Why does Paige Bueckers wear the no. 5?

Paige Bueckers, a senior guard for the Huskies, wears no. 5 because she wore the number when she played for Team USA.

She wore no. 1 at Hopkins High School in Minnesota and had a choice of different numbers when coming to Storrs. However, she chose to stick with no. 5 she wore while representing her country on the international stage.

"I wore No. 1 in high school. UConn doesn’t allow 0 or 1. And I wore 5 with USA Basketball so it was like, 'Next number up,'" Bueckers said in an interview with CTInsider published on April 5.

UConn basketball does not include player names on the back of a uniform — only the player's number is printed — so the number becomes an easily recognizable part of their on-court identity.

Bueckers was fortunate because when she joined UConn in 2020, Crystal Dangerfield, who wore no. 5 for four seasons, had graduated.

Past UConn players to wear no. 5

• Crystal Dangerfield (2016-20)
• Caroline Doty (2008-13)
• Maria Conlon (2000-04)
• Kim Better (1992-96)
• Debbie Baer (1989-92)

Paige Bueckers eyes last shot at national title in UConn jersey

UConn star Paige Bueckers emphasized that the goal for the new season is clear — winning the national championship.

"I don't even think I could put into words what it would mean, but it would mean everything (to win the NCAA trophy), obviously everything that I've been through," Paige said during Big East media day on Oct. 23.

Also, speaking with SNY, Bueckers mentioned the pressure is mounting since this is her last shot.

"I obviously feel a sense of urgency," the 6-foot guard said. "It's definitely the national championship or bust. That's always been the case here at UConn,"

Paige Bueckers came close to winning the NCAA title in her sophomore year when she led the Huskies to the championship game. Last season, she posted 21.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, helping UConn to a 33-6 record but the Huskies lost in the Final Four.