The UConn Women’s Basketball Team will miss superstar guard Paige Bookers again this season as Paige Bookers of Hopkins, Minnesota tore her left knee ACL in a pick-up game in July and will miss the entire 2022-23 season It will be.
The Huskies played more than half of the season last year without Bookers, who suffered a tibial plateau fracture and a torn meniscus in his left leg in the final seconds of last December’s victory over Notre Dame. and helped the Huskies return to the national championship game for the first time since 2016. This time, Buckers won’t be able to swoop in and save the day — a best-case return eight months after surgery will bring her back. is the most likely scenario.
Geno Auriemma will replace superstar production this season, but the timing of her injury for the upcoming campaign will give Bookers a monumental decision. After my injury or at least another year, three years at most, I’ll be back at Storrs.
When Bookers turns 22 on Oct. 20, 2023, she will be 22 in the same year as the draft, so she will be allowed to give up her remaining eligibility to declare for the 2023 WNBA Draft. Losing eligibility in the women’s game is historically rare, but has become more common as more players receive an extra year of eligibility via her COVID-19 year of bonuses.
With that life-changing decision in mind, Buckers is faced with a choice: head to the WNBA and cement her status as one of the best on the planet, or return to UConn and make her the Husky’s best player. Create a legacy that will make you one of the
A case to declare in the 2023 WNBA Draft
Even after missing all of the upcoming season, Buckers’ game-changing playmaking abilities will likely make her a top pick in the 2023 draft, especially if her rehab is on track. She will have to compete with the likes of Aaliyah Boston of the state and Haley Jones of Stanford University for the top spot, but she will certainly make it to at least the top three.
Bueckers could receive about $70,000 a year on her rookie contract, assuming she’s a top three pick. That pales in comparison to what similarly capable NBA rookies make out of college, but it’s still money Bookers can make. Being one, she can continue to receive these payments and possibly land more contracts as a professional.
The WNBA doesn’t have a lot of funding, but it’s available statewide. Even if she leaves after the 2022-23 season, Bookers will soon miss the chance to play abroad, but will certainly be able to entertain the possibility from 2024 onwards. It used to be the number one destination for BA superstars to get paid, but with the decision to invade Ukraine and detain Britney Griner, it’s no longer an option.However, the Turkish and Hungarian leagues offer equally strong competition and could diverge $300,000 to $400,000 Add Bookers to the starting line-up.
If Bookers turns pro, he may have to wait until the 2024 season to make his debut, depending on his rehabilitation progress. 6-9 months of rehabilitation If all goes well, the timeline will likely get her back in time for the start of the WNBA season. You can choose and pick her with the idea of coming back strong for the 2024 season. It also speaks to the talent and ability to transform a franchise.
As she continues to recover, she can practice and rehab alongside WNBA pros instead of her college teammates. This could help her improve and recover her game speed faster if she wants to boost her inclusion on the 2024 US Olympics team.
Turning pro in 2023 would give Bookers extra money in his pocket and extra time to come back from a second major injury within a year. When considering Buckers’ next move, one can’t help but think of Morgan Tuck’s situation at UConn. Tuck, who suffered her two-degree knee injury in college, decided she wanted to turn pro and earn some money before her chronic injuries finally forced her into early retirement. avoided the final year of college. There are currently no reports or information that Buckers will do anything other than make a full recovery, but if that were to change, Buckers would certainly have to think in the back of her mind.
It’s almost impossible to predict when Backers will return to the basketball court at full strength, but a fully healthy Buckers would soon make the WNBA a legitimate title contender, thus helping Buckers and her future. It’s worth the risk for both of the WNBA teams.
Case back to UConn
Bueckers’ decision to return to UConn only makes sense from a financial standpoint due to the low salaries offered to young rookie talent in the NIL and WNBA.
A future NBA player with Bueckers ability could be signed to a multi-million dollar contract shortly after being drafted — fellow Minnesota Chet Holmgren after being the second overall pick this year. , signed a two-year, $20 million contract with Oklahoma City. The NBA Draft, and that his contract could span his four years, could put him above $40 million after a club option. That money is unfortunately not available in the WNBA, and the rookie’s salary is around $70,000, especially what Bookers is said to be making, which makes the decision to go back to college a little easier. about that much For each sponsored post on social media — not to mention deals with Gatorade and StockX.
But Bookers’ decision is also about more than money on the table and playing in the WNBA. Since she committed to her UConn, Bueckers went to her UConn and talked about how it was her dream to play for Auriemma.
“When I was a kid, UConn was my dream school. Seeing them win all national titles and visiting campus to see them up close is everything I have dreamed of. was more than that.” Bookers told ESPN when he committed in 2019“I want to be a part of what UConn has built.”
Yes, Buckers has already accomplished incredible things during his short stint with the Storrs, leading the team to two Final Fours, making it to a national championship and breaking the freshman assists record, but Buckers is the Husky. I want to establish myself as one of the greats. The best way to do that is to win a title. This is something Bookers has yet to accomplish.
Another wrinkle in the mix is that her best friend and teammate Aji Fad is slated to graduate in 2025. Buckers’ mother Amy Fuller told the media that the plan was always to stay for four seasons, but before Buckers’ two knees. Her mother was given to every player who played in the 2020-21 season. Using the COVID year, it didn’t rule out staying in a fifth season either. No more, but the timing works for Bookers to play two more years at UConn for a total of four years. Teaming up with Fudd could bring the Huskies their first national win since 2016.
“If she ever gets the chance to play with her best friend, [Fudd]Frankly, they can play together for four years and win four national championships together.It’s very hard for her to leave that fifth year, especially when she’s making money I understand. Fuller told Andy Wittry’s Out of Bounds newsletter in April 2021.
Bookers herself even says four years at UConn was always planned, but that was before she recently injured her ACL.
“I know you want to get a degree.” bookers said athletic Charlotte Carroll in June“Staying for four years is definitely something I’d love to do. But yeah, I’m not quite sure about the fifth year yet, but I’m sure it will be a conversation when the time comes.”
Nonetheless, the prospect of Bookers making a fortune, building her legacy, building a brand, and finishing a career with her best friend is enough to persuade Bookers to return at least one more time, maybe even three. Gives powerful arguments… more.
