Paige Bueckers of UConn is one of five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award that goes to the nation’s outstanding women’s college basketball player. The other finalists are Lauren Betts of UCLA, Madison Booker of Texas,

Paige Bueckers, Hailey Van Lith and Azzi Fudd have reached out to a mental health professional for help at one point, seeking assistance to cope with the increasing pressure on college basketball players.

Bueckers got back plenty in that game for herself and her teammates, smoothed over the rough patches and was the player who, whenever Auriemma was too deep into the team’s mistakes, could draw him back.

The Wooden Award named its five women's college basketball finalists on Tuesday, per ESPN's Kendra Andrews, with UConn's Paige Bueckers, USC's JuJu Watkins, UCLA's Lauren Betts, Texas' Madison Booker and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo making the cut.

UConn women's basketball's Paige Bueckers was named to the Wooden Award All-America team, marking the 3rd time in her career she has earned the honor.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma caused a minor stir during last year’s NCAA Tournament when he proclaimed that his star guard, Paige Bueckers, was the best player in the country.

So, while the basketball at UConn is still available to her, this time with her teammates is available, the chance to put on that No. 5 Huskies jersey one more time is available, Bueckers will be that player. She will shoot 27 times. She will take over a game. She will not take for granted any moment on the floor.

UConn women’s basketball defeated No. 1-seed USC 78-64 in the Elite Eight behind a combined 53 points from Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong.

Behind Paige Bueckers, UConn can't lose. Women's Final Four is set after Huskies down USC, and no one is beating Geno Auriemma's team for NCAA title.