![\"WNBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paige-bueckers.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWNBA star Paige Bueckers admitted that she is a huge fan of one college basketball sensation who was competing against her beloved UConn for a national championship<\/p>\n
Paige Bueckers is a fan of one March Madness star, and she doesn’t play for UConn(Image: Photo by Brandon Todd \/NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year and UConn alumni Paige Bueckers admitted she has become a huge fan of one March Madness star who plays for a rival team.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the women\u2019s Final Four tipping off in Phoenix, Bueckers<\/a> heaped praise on Texas<\/a> forward Madison Booker, one of college basketball\u2019s most exciting talents.<\/p>\n Although Booker and the Longhorns\u2019 2025-26 season won\u2019t be capped with a national championship after falling short to UCLA in the Final Four<\/a> on Friday night, the star forward looks destined for a future in the WNBA. It came after Bueckers\u2019 former coach Geno Auriemma was issued a five-word threat by Dawn Staley following a wild March Madness scuffle<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: WNBA legend orders Geno Auriemma to apologize for behavior toward Dawn Staley<\/a>READ MORE: Texas coach goes holy when analyzing why team\u2019s offense stunk in Final Four vs UCLA<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI really like her game and the way she plays,\u201d Bueckers said<\/a> of Booker.<\/p>\n \u201cI think she\u2019s keeping the midrange game alive. That\u2019s like my bread and butter, so I love when another person, that\u2019s where they thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Receiving praise from Bueckers, a national champion and three-time All-America first team selection, is nothing to brush over, especially considering the two don\u2019t share the same college allegiances.<\/p>\n Booker has been one of the nation\u2019s best scorers since she first put on the Texas uniform three years ago.<\/p>\n Booker is expected to return to Texas next year for her senior season(Image: Photo by C. Morgan Engel\/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)<\/p>\n The Ridgeland, Missouri native has averaged 17.1 points per game across three college seasons and been named twice to the All-America first team \u2013 including alongside Bueckers in 2024-25.<\/p>\n A dynamic scorer, who, as Bueckers mentioned, is lethal from the midrange, Booker is all but etched for a bright future in the pros once she decides to wrap up her college career in Austin.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old just finished her junior season and is expected to stay at Texas under head coach Vic Schaefer for another year before entering her name in the WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s Final Four tilt against UCLA was far from her finest showing \u2013 Booker shot 3-for-23 and finished with just six points<\/a> \u2013 but fans, analysts, and even players like Bueckers know that such a performance is just a blip on the radar for a player of her caliber.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Azzi Fudd fights back tears before gut-wrenching admission about UConn exit<\/a>READ MORE: Geno Auriemma offers brutal Dawn Staley relationship verdict after Final Four meltdown<\/a><\/p>\n Before Texas and UCLA\u2019s low-scoring slog in Friday\u2019s semifinal, Bueckers\u2019 beloved UConn<\/a> was handed its first loss of the year by Dawn Staley<\/a> and South Carolina<\/a>.<\/p>\n With Bueckers in attendance, the Huskies were held to a season-worst 48 points<\/a>, an unprecedented performance by the reigning national champions who entered the Final Four as overwhelming favorites to win a second straight title.<\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_madison-booker.jpg\")
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