“I hate the sauna, I hate the cold tub but I do both”: Paige Bueckers explains changes in her mentality since freshman year with UConn

Paige Bueckers (Credits: IMAGN)

Paige Bueckers is playing her fifth and final season with the UConn Huskies this year. After leading the team to a Final Four last season, despite an injury-ridden roster, the guard will be hoping to finally end UConn’s championship drought.

Bueckers’ time at Storrs has seen many ups and downs, as she struggled with back-to-back injuries following a spectacular freshman year. In an interview with “Got Next with Meghan & Zora” for NBC Sports on Monday, Bueckers reflected on the changes in mentality throughout her time with the Huskies.

“I think the approach I have in terms of taking care of my body, how much I’ve grown and matured in not just tying up my shoes and getting right on the court,” she said (1:08). “It’s activation lifting I used to hate being in the weight room my freshman years, so I’ve really come to embrace that and actually enjoy it.”

“How much I sleep, how well I’m eating and doing Pilates. Getting in the sauna, getting in the cold tub, the hot tub. I hate the sauna and I hate the cold tub but I do both because it’s good for me. So it’s like seeing that much growth and how much I’ve come in those terms, it’s been a lot.

Last season was Bueckers’ healthiest since freshman year and she averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals.

Paige Bueckers gains a winning start to the 2024-25 season

With championship expectations heavy on her shoulders, Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies had a dominant start to the season, winning their first two games by large margins.

Bueckers opened the season with a 13-point performance in the 86-32 win over Boston University on Thursday, adding four rebounds, seven assists and five steals. In the 86-49 win over South Florida on Sunday, the guard finished with 22 points and three rebounds.

The one aspect that stood out in these games is Buecker’s efficiency. She went 5-of-9 in the first game and 9-of-10 in the second. When asked about this after the Bulls game, Paige Bueckers said:

“For me to be the team leader, me to want to show that, show the younger guys, show how we play here at UConn, it’s everything that I want to do.

“I’m very picky with what I’m doing right now because I’m showing the younger guys what we’re supposed to do here. And so I’m just trying to lead and be an example in that way.”

The Huskies will next play against North Carolina on Friday.