STORRS, Conn. — The UConn women’s basketball program announced devastating news Wednesday that will undoubtedly change the course of its 2022-23 season.
Superstar guard Paige Bookers suffered a torn ACL in her left knee during a basketball game on Monday. She will be out for the upcoming season, according to a team news release.
Bueckers, the former Hopkins High phenom, underwent an MRI Monday night to confirm the injury. She will have surgery Friday at UConn Health. An update on her recovery schedule will be shared after the procedure.
“We’re all devastated for Paige,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “She’s worked really hard to get stronger and fitter this offseason, and it’s an unfortunate setback. Paige is obviously an amazing basketball player, but she’s a better person and teammate and it’s really unfortunate that this happened to her.
“We will miss her presence on the court, but she will do everything in her power to continue to lead and help her teammates this season.” Our program will support Paige through her recovery process to help her come back better and stronger.”
The news is a huge blow to the Huskies, who were saddled with injuries and COVID-19 issues to nearly the entire lineup last season. That includes Bueckers, who missed 19 games after suffering a fractured anterior tibial plateau and a torn lateral meniscus in the same left knee. She underwent surgery on December 13, but returned to action on February 25 and led the Huskies to the Final Four in Minneapolis; they lost in the championship game to South Carolina.
She still led the team with averages of 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Bueckers had committed to stay in Storrs through the summer to get stronger and prevent injuries.
“It’s so crazy because you’ve been working so hard to get back healthy, feeling stronger than ever and playing your best basketball and in one sudden move everything changes,” Bukers posted on Instagram. “It’s hard trying to make sense of it all now, but I can’t help but think that God is using me as a testimony to how much you can overcome with Him by your side. Some kid who just tore his ACL or had major surgery might need this story P because this is going to be one hell of a comeback.
“There will be good days and there will be bad days, but my absolute love for…
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