With Paige Bueckers' decision to remain at UConn, the onus is on Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Angel Reese and other top prospects to decide whether or not they will stay in college next season
Paige Bueckers announced she would remain with the UConn women's basketball team for one more season and skip the 2024 WNBA Draft, ending any discussion on what her future holds. Bueckers revealed her choice on Senior Night, delighting Huskies fans who hoped she'd stay.
Her announcement could have ripple effects on the entirety of the sport - both at NCAA and WNBA levels. UConn's top scorer represents the first of many dominos to fall among a class of elite draft-eligible players, which also includes Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.
"I can't put into words what this program has meant to me, what you guys have meant to me, the best student section in the country, thank you guys," Bueckers told an ecstatic home crowd Friday night. "Obviously, these four years didn't go how I planned or how I wanted it to go, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."
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Bueckers continued: "I wouldn't have been able to get through without everybody here, just supporting. So thank you to the best fans in the country. I know everybody wants me to address the elephant in the room. Unfortunately, this will not be my last senior night here at UConn because I'm coming back."
The star guard will return to UConn for at least one more season. Now, the onus now falls on Clark, Brink, Angel Reese and other top prospects to make a decision regarding their future.
In some respects, Bueckers' situation was unique. UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said earlier this season that he’d never experienced anything like the run of severe injuries in the squad since October. Bueckers, meanwhile, had hinted that the desire to compete alongside a full array of healthy teammates could motivate a return.
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Clark, Brink and Reese have not dealt with the same circ*mstances at Iowa, Stanford and LSU, respectively. Still, the presence of NIL sponsorship opportunities that didn’t exist a few years ago make remaining the NCAA more alluring for everyone, especially with WNBA salaries offering minimal comfort compared to other professional leagues.
In 2024, the top four picks of the WNBA Draft will receive a base salary of $76,535, with the player receiving annual raises over the life of their rookie contract. Meanwhile, Bueckers' NIL deals are worth more than $640,000, per Essentially Sports, which is $300,000 more than what her rookie contract is worth ($337,936).
For Clark, because of her NIL deals with Nike, Gatorade and other companies, she is estimated to have earned $818,000, per On3Sports. Reese reportedly makes at least $1.4 million strictly from her NIL, with her overall net worth being suggested somewhere in the $3 million range.
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While Clark has been open about being unsure about her future, acknowledging it’s a challenging decision, Brink has kept quiet about her plans. Reese has seemingly leaned toward going pro through her conversations with reporters, though she's not confirmed any of her intentions. She'd been lower than some expected in mock drafts but could move up if others stay in school.
"Personally, I aspire to make it to the WNBA," Reese told Glamour last year. "While I do have the option for another year, I do want to get out of college, start life outside of school, and pursue my WNBA dreams. It's been a challenging but rewarding four years, and I'm excited to continue improving at LSU and beyond."
The Indiana Fever, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, and the Los Angeles Sparks, who hold the No. 2 and No. 4 selections, will be the most disappointed by the potential for a mass snubbing of the WNBA ranks by top players.
In time, more of the dominos will fall for the WNBA. What’s already clear is that UConn’s dynasty has received a shot in the arm, with Bueckers’ return lifting the national title contention potential for next campaign.
