Former Hopkins star Bueckers to miss 6-8 weeks
UConn guard Paige Bueckers, left, drives to the basket against High Point during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, in this Sunday, March 21, 2021, file photo.[AP Photo/Eric Gay, File]
Former Hopkins star and current University of Connecticut women’s basketball phenom Paige Bueckers will miss nearly two months due to an injury, the program announced Tuesday.
Bueckers suffered a non-contact injury near the end of UConn’s game Sunday against Notre Dame.
An MRI and CT scan showed she suffered a tibial plateau fracture.
In six games to start the season, Bueckers was averaging 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
Despite missing a large chunk of games, Bueckers is expected to return before the end of the regular season.
"Obviously, we’re all extremely disappointed for Paige and that she suffered this injury. It would be really hard to describe how much basketball means to Paige and how much her teammates mean to her," UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. "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."