Bueckers finalist for Naismith Player of the Year
No freshman has ever won the Naismith Award.
That could change this year.
UConn’s Paige Bueckers was named one of four finalists Thursday for the prestigious award, given to the national player of the year. She was joined by South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, Louisville’s Dana Evans, and Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard.
The 5-foot-11 guard holds the UConn freshman record with 146 assists this season. She also leads the topranked Huskies in scoring (19.7), steals (2.2), 3point field goal percentage (47.4) and minutes per game (35.8).
Six players in school history have won the Naismith Award, three on multiple occasions: Rebecca Lobo (1995), Sue Bird (2002),
Diana Taurasi (2003-04), Maya Moore (2009 and 2011), Tina Charles (2010) and Breanna Stewart (201416).
On Wednesday, Bueckers became only the third freshman to make the AP AllAmerica First Team, joining Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris (2006) and Moore (2008). The rest of the First Team included Boston, Evans, Howard and Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith.
Bueckers has also been named Big East Player and Freshman of the Year, as
well of Most Outstanding Player of the conference tournament.
Following the Big East final against Marquette, UConn coach Geno Auriemma said Bueckers would be his choice for national player of the year.
“Name one player that’s taken a team this young to where we are today. Who’s done more than her? And if you can give me a better argument, then I’d say I’ll vote for them, too. But I don’t think you can. But I’m not going to wear a T-shirt that says ‘Paige for national player of the year.’ And I’m not going to carry a sign around it. And I’m not going to call people and tell them to vote for her. I’ve never done that for anybody. And I’m not going to start today.
“But some people won’t vote for her just because she plays at Connecticut. And she’s got to deal with that, too. And that’s OK. You don’t vote on some awards, like who wins the championship. So she gets my vote.”
The Huskies begin NCAA Tournament play against No. 16 High Point Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio.