UConn's Paige Bueckers Suffers Serious Knee Injury, Will Miss Season

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut women's basketball team and its fans suffered a catastrophic loss regarding next season, with superstar point guard Paige Bueckers out for the year after injuring her knee in a pickup basketball game Monday.

UConn Athletics issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying Bueckers suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee on Monday and will miss the 2022-23 season.

UConn officials said Bueckers sustained the injury during a pick-up basketball game and underwent an MRI Monday evening to confirm the injury.

Bueckers will undergo surgery on Friday at UConn Health and an update on her recovery timetable will be made available following the procedure, UConn said in a statement.

"We're all devastated for Paige. She's worked really hard to get stronger and healthier this offseason, and this is an unfortunate setback. Paige is obviously an amazing basketball player, but she's a better person and teammate and it's really unfortunate that this has happened to her," UConn Women's Basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement.

"We'll miss her presence on the court, but she'll do everything she can to still lead and help her teammates this season."

As a freshman, Bueckers led UConn to the Final Four, where they lost in the semifinals, during the pandemic plagued 2020-21 season.

She was finally able to play before fans during her sophomore year, but missed much of the season with injuries as UConn lost in the 2022 national championship game.

Now, she will not even suit up during her junior year for 2022-23, a tremendous loss for a team expected to challenge for the national title.

"Our program will support Paige through her healing process to help her come back better and stronger," Auriemma said.

For the UConn statement on Bueckers, visit this link.