Paige Bueckers helped Geno Auriemma win his 12th National Title last Sunday, but he was roasting her just hours after she fired the UConn Huskies to glory.
The Huskies beat the defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks in a dominant performance to hand Bueckers a beautiful sendoff, with the guard expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
Still, Auriemma opted to title-shame her during the celebrations. Of course, it was all in good fun.
According to former UConn star Rebecca Lobo, Auriemma made Bueckers sit with the people -herself – who only won one championship during post-game celebrations.
Paige Bueckers Wasn’t Allowed To Sit With UConn Royalty
Lobo told Sarah Spain that Bueckers walked in with the net around her neck and her championship hat on, looking to join a group of former players. However, the head coach instructed her to sit next to her (Lobo) because they only had one championship.
“And remember, this is just a couple hours after we saw Geno crying and hugging her and telling her he loves her,” she said. “And he looks at Paige and he points at me and he said, ‘go sit next to her, you guys only have one [championship].”
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Unfortunately for Paige, the group included a few multiple-time winners, including Breanna Stewart, who won four, and Jessica Moore, who has three.
Lobo, who wasn’t as fortunate, recalled taking flak from Geno when she was the one in that spot, despite helping him win his first Natty.
The legendary @RebeccaLobo with a legendary story about Geno Auriemma, Paige Bueckers and how some things never change…
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) April 11, 2025
Listen to the full episode: https://t.co/wDODRvrll7 pic.twitter.com/k1GaDuY0OO
“That’s who he is, you know?” Lobo added, “I felt like I was in a time warp. Like, 30 years ago it was me he was giving crap to. [That night] it’s Paige.”
As noted above, Bueckers should be the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft. She will have a chance to add at least a few more championships later on in her career.
