Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers, one of the most celebrated women’s college basketball players, recently attended a college basketball game to watch the University of Connecticut play the University of Louisville. Known for her skills and achievements during her time with the Huskies, Bueckers has continued to shine at a professional level.
After the game, Buckers posted a comment under the women’s basketball team’s post, which quickly went viral and sent fans into a frenzy across social media.
What Did Paige Bueckers Say and How Did Fans React?
The top-ranked UConn Huskies tipped off their 2025-26 campaign with a decisive 79–66 win over No. 20 Louisville on Tuesday night at the Peraton Armed Forces Classic in Annapolis, Maryland.
Sophomore Sarah Strong paced the defending champions with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Azzi Fudd added 20. UConn’s trademark defensive pressure smothered Louisville early, limiting the Cardinals to 26.5% shooting in the first half and helping build a 44–23 lead at the break. Junior guard KK Arnold set the tone with 13 first-half points. Louisville fought back with a late 10–0 surge in the fourth quarter, but UConn’s composure sealed the win, extending their unbeaten streak in season openers to 30 years.
The UConn women’s basketball team made a post of Bueckers wearing their warm-up jacket and said, “Like how did you get our warmup top, you don’t even go here.”
Under the post, Bueckers responded with, “Too late to take my 6th year!?”
Bueckers’ seven-word tease quickly caught the attention of fans, who were humoured and delighted to hear her joking about a return to the Huskies. She’s clearly speaking in jest, but the comment sparked excitement and reminded fans of the Huskies’ 2024-2025 National Championship win in April, as well as her dominant career.
Here’s how fans reacted to Bueckers’ comment:
“NO PLEASE COME BACK WE MISS YOU.”
Many fans, like this one, expressed a heartfelt message for Bueckers to return to the court for UConn. There is a deep emotional bond between Bueckers and Huskies fans, as the love is clearly mutual. They saw her grow up, recover from a torn ACL, and become a national champion.
“Come back goat.”
Whether or not Bueckers is the greatest Huskie of all time is undoubtedly a debate, considering the school has produced players like Napheesa Collier, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart. However, she is definitely the best that UConn has made in the last couple of years.
“Never too late.”
While the sentiment is nice, as much as UConn fans would like her to, she can’t come back for a 6th year. However, that doesn’t mean she didn’t leave an impact during her time there.
“It’s never too late go back :((.”
The exaggerated sadness in this case is entirely just. In her final year at UConn, she averaged 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. There was no doubt about who the Wings would draft first overall when it came time to pick.
“PLS COME BACK QUIT W AND COME BACK.”
Despite UConn fans playfully urging her to quit the WNBA, it is safe to say that they’ll be rooting for her and following her throughout her professional career.
“Come home the kids miss you.”
Based on her comment, it’s a safe bet to say that Bueckers misses her “kids” too.
Bueckers’ playful comment about coming back for another year brought smiles to UConn fans, but the Huskies are focused on the task ahead: chasing a second straight national championship without her in uniform. They’ll play at home Sunday to face Florida State at Gampel Pavilion, celebrating both the start of a new season and their first game in the refreshed arena since last spring’s NCAA title run.
