Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers, two UConn stars. Image sources: FB.com/BreannaStewart30 | FB.com/paigebueckersofficial

Paige Bueckers has not played a single minute of WNBA action, but she has already had fans of the league buzzing. In what is perhaps a preview of what she can expect in her professional career, Bueckers is already being grouped with firmly established WNBA stars in online discussions.

A December 13 post by Reddit user u/Putrid-Author2593 has sparked a conversation about Paige Bueckers on the social media platform. The Reddit user wondered if UConn players, didn’t have the penchant for taking over games or if the “passiveness” trait was unique to Bueckers, who is projected to be the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

WNBA Reddit discusses whether Paige Bueckers is “passive.” Image source: reddit.com/r/wnba

WNBA fans weigh in on the playing styles of Paige Bueckers, Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, and more

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In response to this question, Reddit user u/FallenTorch brought up names of other UConn stars who’ve had prolific careers in the WNBA:

“While UConn has never been a good fit for players trying to be the ‘star’, I wouldn’t say that many of the great UConn players in the WNBA like Taurasi, Stewie, Bird, Moore, Collier, etc are passive. Someone like Taurasi is probably the exact opposite of that.”

The user stated that UConn players were the most WNBA-ready players when they came out of college. Reddit user u/dawnsearlylight, however, thought that one of those former Huskies could be characterized as “passive”:

“Stewie is absolutely passive. I’m always shocked at how there is just no emotion there. She could have been the face of the W. She has the talent but not the killer external fire.”

As for Bueckers herself, some Reddit users refused to give her the “passive” label.

“I don’t see this about Paige. Last season UConn had something like 32483204902394 injuries,” said Reddit user u/NerdyReligionProf. “Paige was starting at PF for much of the season and had certain roles she needed to fulfill just to help the team keep clicking. UConn’s offense was decidedly not built around Paige just taking over.”

“Paige doesn’t get to dominate the ball like others,” observed Reddit user u/NoPsychology8664. “Soon as the ball passes half court at UConn there’s a pass, not 15 dibbles while scanning the defense.”

Many others joined in and defended Bueckers on the thread, and stated that UConn’s loss against Notre Dame wasn’t just Bueckers’s fault. They said that the Huskies were outcoached by the Fighting Irish and Bueckers did not get enough support in the game.

As Paige Bueckers finishes her final season with the Huskies and gears up for a WNBA career, lively discussions regarding her on-court performance will continue to do the rounds on the internet.