UConn star guard Paige Bueckers suffered a torn ACL in her left knee and will miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Bueckers underwent an MRI to confirm results after sustaining the injury during a pick-up basketball game.
The junior will undergo surgery on Friday at UConn Health. An update on her recovery timetable will be made available following the procedure.
“We’re all devastated for Paige. She’s worked really hard to get stronger and healthier this offseason, and this is an unfortunate setback,” head coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement Wednesday.
“Paige is obviously an amazing basketball player but she’s a better person and teammate and it’s really unfortunate that this has happened to her. We’ll miss her presence on the court, but she’ll do everything she can to still lead and help her teammates this season. Our program will support Paige through her healing process to help her come back better and stronger.”
The Edina, MN., native was named the 2020-21 AP Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year, becoming the first freshman to win the former.
Bueckers missed 19 games during the 2021-22 season after suffering a left knee tibia plateau fracture and torn meniscus in early December. She returned to help the Huskies reach the Final Four, where the team lost to South Carolina in the championship game.
