SAN ANTONIO (Texas) - UConn’s return to glory is complete. With an emphatic 82–59 victory over previously undefeated South Carolina, the Huskies reclaimed their throne atop women’s college basketball. It was a clinic in execution and composure, a true team triumph led by three stars on three very different paths.
Paige Bueckers, the heartbeat of this team, didn't have her most electric game - 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting - but her legacy is now cemented. She walks away from UConn not just with a national title, but as the third-highest scorer in NCAA Tournament history. Her final moment? A standing ovation, an emotional hug from Geno Auriemma, and likely, the No. 1 pick in this month’s WNBA Draft.
Her impact stretches far beyond college. As a three-time FIBA gold medalist with the USA youth teams, Bueckers has long shone on the global stage - averaging 10.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 14.4 efficiency across three tournaments from 2017 to 2019.
But it was Azzi Fudd who stole the spotlight on championship night. The junior guard, whose college career has been derailed by injuries, delivered a full-circle moment - 24 points, three steals, and pure leadership. A year removed from watching the tournament in street clothes, Fudd was named Most Outstanding Player, becoming the first Husky to win it since Breanna Stewart.
Her FIBA resume? Just as impressive: 8.9 points and 2.8 assists per game over three gold medal-winning youth campaigns. Resilience, poise, and pure shot-making defined her tournament - and her comeback.
And then, there’s the freshman phenom: Sarah Strong. With 114 points, she now holds the record for most points by a freshman in NCAA Tournament history. Strong was everywhere in the title game—on the boards, in transition, draining midrange jumpers. Even Kevin Durant was in awe, tweeting, “Sarah Strong, my goodness, how did u get so good so early???”
Strong, a gold medalist at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's Americas Championship, averaged 7.2 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds for the USA. Her game already carries a pro polish, and she’s only just getting started.
Together, this trio not only led UConn to its 12th national title, but re-established the program as the gold standard. They swept the NCAA All-Tournament Team, outscored opponents by 56 points in the Final Four, and tied the third-largest margin of victory ever in a championship game.
UConn is now the first college basketball team - men's or women's - with 12 national titles, breaking a tie with UCLA's men's program for the most all-time with 11.
The torch has been passed. The legacy continues. And in true UConn fashion, it's all about winning - and winning together.
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