Paige Bueckers Bids UConn Farewell in Emotional Post

Paige Bueckers offered an emotional farewell to the University of Connecticut in an Instagram post.

Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the UCLA Bruins at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Set to fly away to the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers bid her University of Connecticut Husky pack one final farewell in an emotional post on Instagram.

Bueckers commemorated her Connecticut career with a photo montage recording her finest hours in Storrs. Most of the entries were taken from this past season, which saw Bueckers guide UConn to its record-extending 12th national championship on the women's level.

"These past 5 years have been some of the most rewarding, challenging and Blessed years of my life," Bueckers said in her accompanying caption to "UConn Nation." "From the relationships that will last a lifetime, memories and experiences I’ll never forget, and a growing in Faith that has changed my life."

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Bueckers, of course, entered UConn as one of the most touted recruits in the history of the program. Despite frequent medical interruptions, she lived up to the hype and then some: she departs Storrs ranked third in points (2,439), eighth in assists (561), and 10th in steals (258). All that and more led the Wings to name her the top pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft earlier this month, becoming the first Husky to earn the honor since Breanna Stewart in 2016.

"The support and love has meant everything to me and I wouldn’t have been able to make it through without it. From all my sisters that I played with, to everyone in the program you are all family for life. Storrs, Connecticut will always be my second home and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m forever indebted and all I can say is THANK YOU."

Bueckers' post begins with the famous hug she shared with Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma upon her final exit from the national title win over South Carolina on April 6. Past Connecticut teammates—and future WNBA opponents—are among the well-wishers in comments, including KK Arnold, Morgan Cheli, Kaitlyn Chen, Aaliyah Edwards, Aubrey Griffin, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa.

The WNBA journey begins on May 16 when Bueckers and the Wings host the Minnesota Lynx in Arlington.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags