4 days Ago By Joseph McBride
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma had nothing more to say to Paige Bueckers once she was selected first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings . Instead, the pair shared an emotional hug as their Huskies' partnership came to an end. Similarly to last year, when Caitlin Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever , it was the worst-kept secret that Bueckers would be picked first.
With her fate already public knowledge ahead of Draft Night, her main highlight was sharing a hug with Auriemma and now-former teammate Azzi Fudd , who came to support the star senior. Despite the weight of the occasion and the magnitude of Bueckers' accomplishment, Auriemma revealed to Mirror U.S.
Sports that he had nothing else to say to her in that moment. For the pair, it was one final moment shared before going their opposite ways. "No, no, just one more emotional event," Auriemma said exclusively.
"Something that she's always wanted to do and something she's always dreamed about. Nothing more than that." It wasn't the only powerful hug that Bueckers and Auriemma have shared this season, as the pair embraced to create an iconic highlight from the national championship game on April 6.
Bueckers achieved her championship dreams after UConn beat South Carolina 82-59, and was pulled prematurely due to the scoreline. It meant that Bueckers could have her moment before the wild celebrations, and in walking off for the final time in her college career, and as a champion following five years of hard work, the tears flowed. When asked what he said to Bueckers during that moment, Auriemma replied: "I love you.
That's all I could say. I love you." Filled with several emotions, Bueckers then offered her side of the story and showed how close their relationship was.
"Yeah, he told me he loved me and I told him I hated him," Bueckers joked when speaking with ESPN. "Nah, I love that man like more than words can describe. .
.. But it's because he's challenging me and making us all better in ways we never even knew we could.
He always has our backs, that's the thing. "Sometimes it feels like he's on you and he has nothing but bad things to say, but he always has belief. He always has your back.
Just the relationship that we have, I can't even put into words." Though Bueckers and Auriemma are sad that the Huskies' journey is over, the UConn head coach is delighted with how the WNBA Draft has worked out for his top senior. Bueckers will join a transitioning Dallas team, and Auriemma said to Mirror U.
S. Sports: "I think it's great. "Big city, they love their basketball, certainly they've had their success with the Mavs.
I think the city and the franchise have been looking for someone they can build around. Paige will go out and do everything she can to promote the program. I think it's the perfect pick.
" That being said, Auriemma hasn't sugar-coated anything with Bueckers and was honest when admitting it would be a tough challenge stepping up to the WNBA. When asked what his final words of advice were, Auriemma said: "Mostly how hard it's going to be and how she has to stick up for herself. "Try to impact the team any way she can.
Coming in as the No. 1 pick, a lot is expected from you. It's not easy to be a leader when you're coming in that way.
She knows what she's doing.".
