Paige Bueckers Mar 10, 2024; Uncasville, CT, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Qadence Samuels (4) warm up before the start of the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The UConn Huskies added a veteran to their roster this offseason. Former Princeton Tigers standout Kaitlyn Chen joined the Huskies through the portal, giving the vaunted program a strong veteran presence boost. UConn is a younger team this year, and superstar Paige Bueckers realizes that.

Nine players on the roster for the Huskies are listed as redshirt sophomores or below. Just players, including Bueckers and Chen, have logged several years of experience. There’s high expectations in Storrs as usual, but they are playing with an interesting deck this year.

But this week, Bueckers was very complimentary of her new teammate, Chen. One reporter asked the UConn star how important her transfer was, and she responded emphatically.

“Very important,” Buckers said. “I mean, we’re a very young team; we have a lot of new people. A lot of second-year guys, so for her to be experienced.”

Bueckers noted that Chen likely used similar offensive concepts at her last stop in Princeton. She called her “very smart” and praised her knowledge of the game and willingness to be a good teammate.

It’s set to be another big year in Storrs. With Caitlin Clark and other superstars gone from college basketball, Bueckers will likely be one of the most notable names in the spot. What she and UConn do will be on everyone’s minds.

[UConn WBB Weekly]

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About Chris Novak

Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022