UConn star Paige Bueckers will be sidelined six to eight weeks with a tibial plateau fracture, the team announced Tuesday.
The sophomore guard suffered a non-contact injury to her left knee late in the fourth quarter of the No. 3 Huskies’ 73-54 victory against Notre Dame.
An MRI and a CT scan confirmed the extent of the injury to Bueckers, who is averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game for the Huskies (5-1)
“Obviously, we’re all extremely disappointed for Paige and that she suffered this injury,” coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement posted to social media. “It would be really hard to describe how much basketball means to Paige and how much her teammates mean to her. 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.”
We're all behind you, Paige ?? pic.twitter.com/ecVLeWwqYZ
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) December 7, 2021
Bueckers, 20, guided the Huskies to the Final Four last season and was the consensus national player of the year.
–Field Level Media