Paige Bueckers sends sweet message for UConn teammate on her special day
NCAA Womens Basketball: Southern California at Connecticut – Source: Imagn
Paige Bueckers is viewed by many as one of the best players in women’s college basketball. The UConn Huskies star is also also well-regarded for being a team player.
Friday was the birthday of her teammate Qadence Samuels, who has been a member of the Huskies since 2023. She is in her sophomore year in college, being a former top-50 recruit in the Class of 2023.
Bueckers reacted to her birthday with a heartwarming message.
“Happy birthday Q. Hope you had a great one,” Bueckers wrote.
Paige Bueckers reacts to teammate’s birthday. (Instagram)
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Bueckers is averaging 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and two steals on 56.3% shooting from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. She has reached the 20-point mark eight times, recording a season-high 29 points against North Carolina on Nov. 15.
The Huskies have been solid on both sides of the ball. They average 80.1 points on 50.9% shooting overall and 36.1% from downtown, beating opponents by 25.2 points per game. They have a positive rebounding margin of 6.5, create 21.5 assists, and limit their turnovers to just 11 per contest.
They allow 54.9 points from their opponents, limiting them to shooting splits of 37.2% from the field and 34% from three. Their aggression on defense is noteworthy, making 14.2 stocks (steals and blocks) while forcing 17.8 turnovers per game.
Aside from Bueckers, Sarah Strong comes next as the Huskies’ second-best scorer with 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Ashlynn Shade follows suit with 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals, while Kaitlynn Chen leads the team in total assists with 49.
Paige Bueckers and the No. 7 Huskies will close out 2024 with one more game, playing Providence at the XL Center on Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
