Making the case for and against Paige Bueckers declaring for 2024 WNBA Draft

The date for the 2024 WNBA draft has been set for Apr. 16, and it is highly unlikely that Paige Bueckers will be present. Despite being eligible to turn pro, the UConn Huskies standout has expressed her desire to continue her studies for another year.

Despite this, there remains a slight possibility that Bueckers may reconsider her decision as she has a 48-hour window to declare for the 2024 WNBA draft following her Women’s NCAA Final Four bid.

Her determination to remain at UConn stems from her desire to lead the team to a championship, a goal that has strengthened since her first two years with the team. Despite this, WNBA scouts are eagerly anticipating her decision after the tournament, as they believe her exceptional ball-handling abilities will make a significant impact.

Paige Bueckers’ Impact on UConn Women’s Basketball Program

As she entered the college ranks, Paige Bueckers wasted no time in showcasing why she was one of the most highly anticipated recruits for the Huskies since Breanna Stewart.

Despite facing injuries such as a sprained ankle and tibial plateau fracture, she continued to excel, averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals in 29 games.

Despite Bueckers’ achievement of becoming the first freshman to win major national player of the year awards, the Huskies were unable to reach the finals and ultimately lost to the Arizona Wildcats. Bueckers was also awarded the Big East Player of the Year.

Despite facing setbacks due to an ankle surgery during her sophomore season, Bueckers quickly bounced back and proved her abilities by scoring a career-high of 34 points against Arkansas, making her previous injury a distant memory.

Despite being held back by a left-knee injury, she still managed to contribute to her team’s success in reaching the Final Four. However, their hopes of winning a championship were dashed by the South Carolina Gamecocks, who defeated them by a significant margin of 15 points.

Due to an ACL tear during a pick-up game, Bueckers’ college journey was put on hold and she had to take a redshirt year for the 2022-23 season.

As of now, Paige Bueckers remains committed to making the most of her college experience by announcing her intention to return for the 2024-25 season. Currently, her UConn Huskies are competing against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Buckeyes in the Final Four, with the hopes of causing an upset.

Her decision to continue her education at UConn for another year is driven by her determination to lead the team to a championship.

“Obviously, these four years didn’t go how I planned or how I wanted it to go, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,”said Bueckers.

“I know everybody wants me to address the elephant in the room. Unfortunately, this will not be my last senior night at UConn. I’m coming back.

Is Paige Bueckers Eligible to Play in the WNBA?

It is undeniable that Paige Bueckers is driven to be one of the highly anticipated players in the WNBA. If she decides to enter the competitive 2024 draft, she is expected to be selected within the top three picks. Some experts even predict she may be chosen second, with Caitlin Clark in the lead.

Despite the WNBA team potentially having to adjust to her talent, Bueckers’ fit on any team would not be an issue. With her NIL currently at $652,000, she also has the option to stay in college and continue earning money while pursuing another NCAA championship. This is due to the WNBA rookie salary cap of $76,535.