Should Paige Bueckers Return to UConn? Or is the WNBA or overseas a better option? We BREAKDOWN

Paige Buecker spoke to the media for the first time on 1 September 2022 and promised that she would play for Uconn in 2023 /2024 season. She will not entered the 2023 WNBA Draft. Is this a good decision? We look at her injuries and weigh up the options. You will be surprised what we recommend.

[ReginaldJKornblow]

She hasn't been all that durable once the real competition started, has she ?Hard to see how she's not going to wind up like Tuck.

[Meanandre]

Yes she should return because she needs to get stronger before going pro

[kurtjohnson]

She should transfer to Iowa to play with Caitlin.

[tythesneakergod]

She is going to be the face of that league. There's only been a few people who really had me watching the WNBA TBH. They are Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and Brittney griner I think Paige is going to make headlines when she moves up. You don't see a lot of female's take deep 3's in the league. This whole next wave of NCAA Female's built different they really be shooting. There going to bring eye's to the league as a whole.

[superdude]

There is nothing in the WNBL in regards to medical monitoring that UConn can not offer. And she might as well disappear off the map for a year playing in a league where there is no real coverage. WNBL salaries are chump change and unlike other players, she has a connection to the UConn players. Going after dreams is what the greats do. Get the NC at the greatest program in history with BFF Azzi and then save the WNBA.

[Whizkidsoo]

She wants the title & she makes so much more than prolly 76-85% of players playing with all her sponsors nil promotions. She may stay another year on top I think if they don’t win a natty in 23. Her fan base & skills are good enough for WNBA why tf would she go to Australia...guys & girls are way different...the Diana entry In to staring lineup was over 20 yrs ago

[maidstoneplantfarm]

None of us should say, "she should do this or that." It is her decision. I'm not sure I have ever seen a professional team in any sport consider what is best for an athlete. Paige is a charming social person who has impacted the game in so many ways. She will continue to do that regardless of any injury. Personally, I think she belongs in the college scene where every step or misstep isn't being judged by the press. I do think her style of play would present injuries in any human body. The very best players are always the most at risk.

[JohnViolette]

I don't vehemently disagree with most of this, though I have lots of quibbles.

My impression is that professional sports will protect an investment, but only selectively. If a potential playoff run is at stake or if you're fairly easy to replace, a player might be under quite a bit of pressure to play through injuries. And I doubt that the WNBL will feel like they need to protect a 1-year investment at all. And as for the WNBA, most of their salaries are low enough that they probably don't feel a need to treat most players as major investments like the NBA, MBL, and NFL do.


Although I also don't know the details of Bueckers' endorsement deals, I've heard the theory that her profile is higher as a UConn superstar than it would be as a WNBA star, but either of those seems to me lightyears away from her profile as a WNBL player. Admittedly it *might* be a reasonable segue to the WNBA as far as physical development goes, but it's hard to believe it'd be anything but a speed bump on Endorsement Highway.

Unfortunately for Bueckers, her injuries have clouded her future. It's the sports fan's prerogative to question these decisions, and I'm not convinced she's made the wrong one.

[mehranali]

she should consider improve on her physicallity cuz WNBA is getting very physical . wnba is getting way more harder also

[peterknutson]

Wnba not an option because of her age; she makes too much money from multiple NIL deals to go overseas.

[whateverforever]

She should stay and get that NCAA title she keeps ALMOST getting with UCONN, literally the runner up TWICE. Would love to see her stay, get stronger, get a degree because she is already wealthy from her deals/sponsors of Gatorade and has lots of time yet, just my opinion :)

[paulettewatson]

I think the WNBL and Australia would welcome Paige and it’s good comp for her..

[Zakarman]

Bro these my body my choice folks are exhausting but I don’t care. Paige is a lightweight. Playing another season very risky. Excellent point about UCONN about not being invested long term. I don’t see her having a long WNBA career if she doesn’t get much much stronger. The physicality of the W will be too much for her. Australia is definitely a good testing ground to see how she would make it the W. Consider Jacky Stiles.

[rogerfoster]

You mean is she's the best option for Uconn because she miss 19 games last season now she's out for this whole season she might be better off going to the WNBA atleast if she hurt her self again she will already be in the WNBA.

[wildthing]

The WNBA draft's next Ryan Leaf (a big bust)