She underwent surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear and an anterior tibial plateau fracture while serving as the national player of the year for women’s basketball the previous season.
The University of Connecticut revealed on Tuesday that Paige Bueckers, the current national player of the year in women’s basketball, underwent successful surgery on her left knee on Monday.
Bueckers, a 5-foot-11 sophomore at UConn, suffered an anterior tibial plateau fracture and a lateral meniscus tear during the team’s home game against Notre Dame on December 5. These injuries were fixed during surgery at UConn Health.
According to the university, she would likely recover in eight weeks, which would put her recovery around February 7. The Big East and NCAA tournaments take place following the conclusion of UConn’s regular season on February 27.
With 16 games remaining before February 9—including a rematch at No. 1 South Carolina on January 27 and a date with No. 6 Louisville on Sunday—UConn (6-2), tied with Tennessee at No. 7 in the Associated Press poll, has a busy schedule. Since Bueckers’ injury, UConn has gone 1-1; on Thursday, they lost to unranked Georgia Tech and on Saturday, they defeated unranked U.C.L.A. in Newark.
Prior to her injury, Bueckers was averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Bueckers last month became the first college athlete to sign an endorsement deal with Gatorade, following his August signing with Wasserman Media Group in response to the N.C.A.A. allowing college athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness. She also has an agreement with StockX, a global reseller of streetwear and sneakers.
Together with freshman Azzi Fudd (foot), sophomore Nika Muhl (foot), and junior Aubrey Griffin (back, ankle), Bueckers is one of four Huskies who are currently sidelined.
Saylor Poffenbarger and Mir McLean, two players, are transferring, leaving UConn with eight players who are healthy.
Huskies coach Geno Auriemma stated, “Every time someone is out, that gives somebody an opportunity to step in.”
“Instead of being outside the party hoping to get in and feel like they belong here and can contribute when necessary, they’ll be able to contribute as part of the natural flow of our offense when Paige and the rest of our players do return.”
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