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Paige Bueckers Gets Message From Former UConn Teammate in New Post

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 8:11 PM ET

Selected first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers debuted on May 16 with 10 points against her home-state Minnesota Lynx and notched her first double‑double days later with 12 points and 10 assists.

Though the Wings have struggled, sitting in last place with a 2-11 record, Bueckers continues to shine, currently leading all rookies in scoring (17.7 PPG), assists (5.7 APG) and steals (2.1 SPG).

Off the court, Bueckers' brand continues to grow as well.

On Wednesday, she shared a series of photos on her Instagram with the caption, “Got a dubski dump .”

One of the snapshots showed Bueckers standing next to her former UConn teammate Kaitlyn Chen, just as she leaned in to plant a kiss on Chen’s cheek.

Chen was among the first to react to the post and jokingly commented, "hard launch," which is a phrase that usually refers to when a relationship goes public.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige (@paigebueckers)

Bueckers enrolled at UConn in 2020 as the nation’s top high-school recruit and in her first year became the first freshman ever to earn national player of the year honors, capturing the AP Player of the Year, Naismith Trophy, USBWA Player of the Year and John R. Wooden Award.

Despite knee injuries that sidelined much of her sophomore and entire junior campaigns, Bueckers returned to lead the Huskies to an undefeated Big East season and a national championship in April.

She wrapped up her collegiate career as UConn’s all‑time leader in scoring average (19.8 points per game) and ranked third in total points (2,439).

Chen started her collegiate career at Princeton, where she was named Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023 and earned three consecutive Ivy League tournament MVP honors.

Bueckers and Chen then shared the UConn locker room during the 2024-2025 season, when Chen transferred from Princeton for her final year of eligibility.

Under Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma, they formed a potent backcourt tandem that powered UConn’s run to its 12th national title.

In April, Chen made history as the first player of Taiwanese descent drafted into the WNBA, selected 29th overall by the expansion Golden State Valkyries.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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