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Paige Bueckers, Geno Auriemma Share Sweet Moment After Wings-Valkyries Game

Paige got to play against her UConn teammate Kaitlyn Chen, too.
University of Connecticut head coach Auriemma speaks with Dallas Wings guard Bueckers after the game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center.
University of Connecticut head coach Auriemma speaks with Dallas Wings guard Bueckers after the game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

UConn Huskies women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma made his way to Texas Tuesday night to watch two of his former players take the court against one another. Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings, were slated to take on the Golden State Valkyries on the final night of Commissioner's Cup play.

The Valkyries signed Kaitlyn Chen, Bueckers's teammate last year at UConn, to a contract Sunday after they drafted her in the third round with the No. 30 pick in April.

After the game, a small UConn reunion took place on the court in Dallas. Bueckers and Chen shared a moment, then Bueckers and Auriemma shared a hug along with a quick chat before they posed for a photo in between jokes.

Auriemma coached Bueckers, Chen and the rest of the Huskies to a NCAA title this year after a triumphant run through March Madness that culminated in Bueckers's first championship in her last chance.

Now one of the WNBA's young stars, Bueckers led the Wings with 20 points Tuesday as they recorded their second win of the season with a 80-71 win over the Valkyries. Dallas is a lackluster 2-11 on the season thus far in year one of the Bueckers era.


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Blake Silverman
BLAKE SILVERMAN

Blake Silverman is a writer at Sports Illustrated, primarily covering the NBA and WNBA. Before joining SI in November 2024 as a breaking/trending news writer, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation and A10Talk. He’s an alum of both Michigan State and St. Bonaventure University, receiving a master’s degree from the Bonnies’ sports journalism program. Outside of work, he’s a husband, father, yogi and fairly mediocre tennis player who’s open to any tips on how to play defense in EA Sports College Football.

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