The revelatory Paige Bueckers, coming off a Rookie Of The Year award for the Dallas Wings, is unquestionably the next WNBA star. Moreover, she will have a good idea of what it takes to dominate at the next level, having been drafted first overall from the UConn Huskies last season.
Her words will therefore carry weight for this year’s UConn star, Sarah Strong, having commented on the 19-year-old forward’s dominant all-around performance against Ohio State. If Strong continues to perform as she did tonight, she could eventually be the next UConn star to play in the WNBA once eligible.
She put on an imperious performance against Ohio State, blowing them out 100-68, and her former teammate Bueckers had some words for her impressive display.
Paige Bueckers Left Speechless By Sarah Strong’s Career-High Dominant Performance
A clearly impressed Bueckers showed she is still locked into her alma mater’s games. They said plenty in her short but sweet comment, posting on her X account that she had “no words” following Strong’s jaw-dropping 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and five steals performance. A genuinely incredible all-around performance.
Bueckers wrote: “Sarah Strong… no words.” This speaks to the level of dominance in Strong’s display, if it left a star like Bueckers speechless. Bueckers played with Strong (then a freshman) last season for the Huskies, winning a national championship together.
Strong looks to have taken a further step this year. She showcased her impressive talents on both ends, completely stifling Ohio State in the paint, shutting them down at the rim, and forcing five steals, along with three blocks. She also flashed playmaking abilities, highlighted by an impressive full-court football-style pass to the open Serah Williams under the basket at the five forty mark in the first half.
She continued to demonstrate her ability to read defenses by getting to the rim with ease while also knocking down shots from the perimeter, hitting 50% from three-point range, and essentially doing everything on her way to a career performance. With outings like this, she’ll be a must-watch all season. The No. 1-ranked unbeaten Huskies chase back-to-back national championships behind Strong and Azzi Fudd, and if Strong keeps playing at this level, few will question whether they can win it all without Bueckers.