Paige Bueckers made sure to get one last appearance as a member of the UConn women's basketball team before turning pro. The projected No. 1 overall pick traveled to Hartford for the Huskies' national championship victory parade and rally a day before the 2025 WNBA Draft takes place in New York City.

The parade was shifted from Saturday to Sunday due to heavy rain, but Bueckers and loyal fans still turned out to cheer for UConn's 12th national championship win. The Huskies ended their nine-year title drought exactly a week earlier with a dominating 82-59 victory over the then-reigning champs, South Carolina.

Bueckers also addressed the crowd with a speech during the celebration, starting by thanking the coaches and staff that helped along her journey.

“It's an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the whole entire journey, the entire five years that I've been here,” Bueckers began. “This place is a second home to me. I'm forever indebted to you guys. We are all forever indebted to you guys.”

Bueckers went on to detail the squad's journey to the goal they shared and how she feels about her teammates.

Article Continues Below
Related NCAA Basketball News
Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden addresses the crowd during the National Championship celebration at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Todd Golden’s new Florida basketball contract contains surprising NBA languageScotty White ·
Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kentucky basketball’s Otega Oweh makes final NBA Draft decisionMalik Brown ·
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) goes up for a layup as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Neville Arena
John Calipari will need to replace 15.1 PPG Arkansas basketball star after NBA Draft decisionScotty White ·
Grand Canyon Antelopes guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) celebrates making a buzzer beater three pointer during the first half against Maryland Terrapins at Climate Pledge Arena. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Gonzaga Bulldogs land two-time WAC Player of the Year in transfer portalJake Faigus ·
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl reacts against the Florida Gators during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at Alamodome.
Bruce Pearl scores win with Auburn basketball star pulling out of NBA DraftMalik Brown ·
UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) shoots a free throw against the Temple Owls during the first half at Dickies Arena.
Yaxel Lendeborg gets real on decision to join Michigan basketballScotty White ·

“This team is special. Obviously, we had our ups and downs, same as everybody else,” Bueckers said. “But as soon as the tournament started, we had this confident, light vibe to us.”

Bueckers then spoke about what the Huskies pulled on to power themselves to the national title. “We just felt like something was different,” she concluded. “Obviously, just how connected we were and the power of friendship, like we all talk about, definitely fueled us.”

The reported 20,000 fans who showed up had plenty to root for. Claiming this year's national title made the UConn women's basketball team the winningest college program in NCAA basketball history. The Huskies were previously tied with the UCLA men's team for the all-time most championships at 11 before toppling the Gamecocks.

Bueckers will have another busy day on her schedule Monday as she prepares to hear her name called during the 2025 WNBA Draft.