UConn's Bueckers out 6-8 weeks
Dec. 7—STORRS — Paige Bueckers' sophomore season with the UConn women's basketball team may not be over yet.
Bueckers underwent diagnostic testing after suffering a non-contact injury to the left knee in the final minute of Sunday's game against Notre Dame at Gampel Pavilion, the school announced Tuesday. An MRI and a CT scan revealed a tibial plateau fracture. The estimated time of recovery is 6-8 weeks.
"Obviously, we're all extremely disappointed for Paige and that she suffered this injury," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement. "It would be really hard to describe how much basketball means to Paige and how much her teammates mean to her. Not being able to do the thing that she loves to do, to be there for her teammates, is really difficult for her.
"We've had players get injured in the past and my philosophy here is, I'm not interested in how fast we can get someone back; I'm interested in what's best for them long term. Every decision made will prioritize what's best for Paige and her career. Everyone involved with this program will be there to support Paige through her healing process."
Bueckers fell to the floor with 38.5 seconds left holding her left knee following a misstep while bringing the ball up the court. She was helped to the bench by teammates Evina Westbrook and Amari DeBerry and afterwards helped off the court by teammate Azzi Fudd and athletic trainer Janelle Francisco.
In five games for the Huskies (4-1), Bueckers is averaging 21.2 points on 56.3 percent shooting from the floor, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.7 steals in 36.2 minutes.
Third-ranked UConn visits Georgia Tech Thursday and then takes on UCLA Saturday in the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, New Jersey. It will then play only one game in a 17-day stretch — Dec. 19 against Louisville at Mohegan Sun Arena.
For coverage of all sports in the JI's 18-town coverage area, plus updates on the UConn women's basketball team and head coach Geno Auriemma, follow Carl Adamec on Twitter: @CarlAdamec, Facebook: Carl Adamec, and Instagram: @CarlAdamec.
