Bueckers: Balling before social media, the UConn legacy, learning from Taurasi and Irving

BANGKOK (Thailand) - In the modern era, players can sometimes be more famous on social channels than they are on the basketball court and it's a fact not lost on Paige Bueckers.

The classy guard has the world at her feet as she chases down successive global gold medals with USA. That will be followed by her heading to the prestigious UConn, to work with coaching legend Geno Auriemma in 2020.

Balling Over Social Media

Right now, the Minnesota native is only 17-years-old and yet has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, with the added kudos of the verified 'blue tick' for good measure.

However, she is acutely aware of a concern within the sport that some young players are in danger of getting famous before they have any kind of resume or basketball pedigree.

"That is exactly it right there. One of my biggest aims is to get neither complacent or have a sense of entitlement - I can't allow any kind of fame or attention affect me," said Bueckers.

"I have done a lot of things as a young player and as I get older, I want to keep doing more things and to be successful. Staying humble is one of my aims, because whatever is happening on social media, I don't want my game to ever go backwards."

 
The thrill of being able to have so many fans at such a young age also comes with a big responsibility. The traditional balance of needing to juggle athletic and educational commitments now has a third dimension for modern day rising stars in the shape of managing their social profiles.

"It's kind of hard at times, but I just always stay true to myself," said the guard as she reflected on her big following  and one that is replicated with the USA camp with the likes of her teammate, Hailey Van Lith.

"I just try not to do anything that I wouldn't normally do. There are so many people watching your every move and some of those people can be just waiting to criticize you for something and you have to be cautious sometimes."

 
"Overall though, being yourself and trying to keep things to a minimum and showing people that you are hopefully a cool person is what it is about for me," Bueckers said.

"I am young myself and I am aware there are even younger people who might start looking up to me and it is something that you have to be aware of, since there comes a responsibility with this.

"But, I really just want to show the importance of basketball to me and to show everyone my experiences as they happen," she insisted.

The UConn Legacy

 
While Bueckers still has some considerable time to grow until she steps out with UConn next year, she confessed that she was experiencing a heady mix of both anticipation and also a deep appreciation of what has went before at the iconic program.

"It doesn't weigh heavy for me, but the sense of all that history is there," stated Bueckers.

"You can't help being aware of what it means to be playing for UConn. It's also the case that they haven't won the title in a couple of years now, so I want to be a part of bringing that championship back. This is a great added motivation, and I want to be part of adding to the legacy that UConn already has.

"I also love the look of the team chemistry there, the way they play hard and are always winning or chasing down championships. It's a family orientated program, which suits me a lot too.

"I am most looking forward to playing under Coach Geno (Auriemma) and just seeing what he does with players," added Bueckers.

"He makes people so much better. I feel that I am good, but to be great one day or even just the best player I can be, he is the person I need to be working with."

Learning From Taurasi, Bird and Irving

Currently leading the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019 in assists, Bueckers is bearing down on a potential All-Star Five spot and maybe even MVP of the competition if USA complete the job as expected and land gold.

It's impossible not to be impressed by her classy play and she revealed that she takes her evolution and style seriously.

"I really like Diana (Taurasi) and Sue (Bird) a lot, plus Kyrie Irving in the guy's game and I just like to try taking bits and pieces from their games and then trying my best to add it to mine," said Bueckers.

"I like watching and breaking down a lot of other players' games and looking at not only what they do on the floor but also off the court as well. You can learn from looking at the best and considering the things that make them great.

"But of course you have to make sure that you always try being your own person and are a player in your own right."

Buckets With Bueckers

If Bueckers is looking to establish herself as a future senior player with USA and becoming more and more of a role model, she is moving in the right direction. She is also making positive waves away from the court and proudly explained how she has already set up one initiative to support the local community.

"It's like a camp and it's called 'Buckets with Bueckers' and it's free for people to come, but many of them donate and that is given to charities," she said.

"It's really just about introducing the game to the younger kids and handing them the opportunities that some don't have.

"That can be many different things such as access to a free gym, supporting them mentally and them being able to learn from people who are there teaching basketball," she concluded.

And, before the curtain comes down in Bangkok in the last two days, don't rule out the teenager putting on another couple of clinics and taking USA to glory.

FIBA