WNBA’s Paige Bueckers Bids Emotional Farewell to UConn: ‘Changed My Life’

Paige Bueckers has bid an emotional farewell to UConn following the end of her college basketball career”These past 5 years have been some of the most rewarding, challenging and Blessed years of my life,” she wrote on InstagramBueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft

Paige Bueckers is saying her final farewell to the University of Connecticut.

The UConn basketball star, who helped the Huskies win the NCAA Women’s National Championship earlier this month, posted a heartfelt goodbye to the school and its fans on social media Tuesday, April 22.

“UConn Nation, where do I even begin,” Bueckers, 23, wrote on Instagram. “These past 5 years have been some of the most rewarding, challenging and Blessed years of my life. From the relationships that will last a lifetime, memories and experiences I’ll never forget, and a growing in Faith that has changed my life.”

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Bueckers shared the post one week after she was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft. In her farewell post, the Minnesota native shared photos of her hugging head coach Geno Auriemma, teammates, fans and the team’s recent national championship trophy.

“The support and love has meant everything to me and I wouldn’t have been able to make it through without it,” Bueckers wrote. “From all my sisters that I played with, to everyone in the program you are all family for life. Storrs, Connecticut will always be my second home and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m forever indebted and all I can say is THANK YOU.”

The former AP Player of the Year and three-time All-American point guard told PEOPLE last week that the love and support she’s received from her teammates in recent years is a “big reason” why she was able to reach the WNBA.

“They’ve made me a better person, a better leader,” Bueckers said at the draft. “They’ve supported me through life’s ups and downs. They’ve seen the good days and the bad days, but the love we have for each other is unconditional.”

Bueckers authored one of the most successful comebacks in college basketball history, leading UConn to its 12th national title after returning from a career-threatening ACL injury that kept her out for an entire season.

The following year, the speedy, 6-foot guard led her team to the Final Four – ultimately losing to Caitlin Clark and Iowa – before returning for a fifth year and leading UConn to a national championship victory over South Carolina this past season.

Several of Bueckers now-former teammates sent their own emotional replies to the new WNBA star’s farewell post. “I love you,” Caroline Ducharme wrote, adding she was “not ready” to say goodbye, while Aaliyah Edwards added, “Forever bleed blue Pskii.”

Bueckers told PEOPLE at the WNBA Draft she’s grateful for her college career, but ready to move on to the pros. “I think ever since I was a young kid, I’ve always dreamed big and try to manifest my goals and work extremely hard for them and keep the faith through them, know everything’s in God’s hands,” she said.

Bueckers added, “But to be able to play this game, to be able to share this moment with my teammates, with my coaching staff, with my family, everybody who’s here, it’s meant everything.”