UConn’s Bueckers named an AP First Team All-American selection

Paige Bueckers already has a place in the UConn record books, and her presence will only become more pronounced in the coming years.

Bueckers reached another significant achievement Wednesday, becoming only the third freshman to earn Associated Press All-American First Team honors. The other two: Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris (2006) and UConn’s Maya Moore (2008).

The 5-foot-11 guard was joined on the First Team by Louisville’s Dana Evans, South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard and Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith. She received 28 of a possible 30 first-place votes from a national media panel.

Bueckers leads the Huskies in scoring (19.7), assists (6.1), steals (2.2) and minutes per game (35.8). She also ranks third in the country in 3-point percentage (47.4) and 24th in field-goal percentage (53.9).

This marks the eighth straight year UConn placed someone on the All-American First Team. A total of 17 Huskies have earned 25 First Team honors: Rebecca Lobo (1995), Jennifer Rizzotti (1996), Kara Wolters (1996-97), Nykesha Sales (1998), Svetlana Abrosimova (2000), Shea Ralph (2000), Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2003-04), Moore (200811), Renee Montgomery (2009), Tina Charles (2010), Breanna Stewart (2014-16), Moriah Jefferson (2016), Napheesa Collier (2017-19), Katie Lou Samuelson (201718), Megan Walker (2020) and Bueckers.

UConn juniors Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Christyn Williams received honorable mentions.

The All-American Second Team included NC State’s Elissa Cunane, Michigan’s Naz Hillmon, Arizona’s Aari McDonald, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and Texas’ Charli Collier.

Oklahoma State’s Natasha Mack, Maryland’s Ashley Owusu, UCLA’s Michaela Onyenwere, Stanford’s Kiana Williams and Arkansas’ Chelsea Dungee made the Third Team.

Earlier this month, Bueckers was named Big East Player and Freshman of the Year, joining Moore as the only players to sweep those awards. No freshman has ever won the Naismith, Wooden and AP national player of the year awards, but Bueckers is a candidate for those as well.

In fact, she’d even get

See Paige on B1

David Butler II / USA TODAY UConn guard Paige Bueckers reacts after a play against the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at Mohegan Sun on March 8. Bueckers has been named an Associated Press First Team All-American.