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Paige Bueckers’s Iconic Locker Room Photo After UConn's NCAA Title Win Loved by Fans

Andy Nesbitt

Paige Bueckers closed out her legendary UConn career in style on Sunday.
Paige Bueckers closed out her legendary UConn career in style on Sunday. / Erick W Rasco/Sports Illustrated
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Paige Bueckers's legendary college basketball career came to a fitting end Sunday as she helped lead the UConn Huskies to their 12th national title. And they did it in style by blowing out Dawn Staley's very talented South Carolina team, 82–59, in Tampa.

Bueckers, who will most likely be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft next week, had 17 points in her final game. One of the lasting moments on the court happened as she subbed out one last time and shared a hug with her head coach, Geno Auriemma, who had a sweet message for one of the best players he's ever coached at UConn.

Later in the locker room UConn shared an iconic photo of Bueckers, who seemed to be overcome with emotions while taking it all in.

Fans rightfully loved that.

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Andy Nesbitt
ANDY NESBITT

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.

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