University of Connecticut Athletics
Bueckers Becomes First Freshman to Earn Naismith Trophy
4/3/2021 1:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – UConn women's basketball guard Paige Bueckers was selected as the 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy recipient, becoming the first freshman in the 39-year history of the women's collegiate award to earn the award.
Bueckers was also the first-ever freshman to be named AP National Player of the Year. She was also selected as a USBWA and Wooden Award All-American.
Bueckers was named the 2021 BIG EAST Player and Freshman of the Year and the BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She was named the River Walk Region Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament.
Bueckers led UConn to its 13th straight NCAA Final Four and a 28-2 overall record. Bueckers led UConn this season with 20.0 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game, as well as a 46.4 three-point field goal percentage.
She holds the UConn records for most assists in a game (14) and most assists by a freshman (168).
Seven Huskies have won the Naismith Trophy 11 times: Rebecca Lobo (1995), Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2003, '04), Maya Moore (2009, '11), Tina Charles (2010), Breanna Stewart (2014, '15, '16) and Bueckers (2021).
