FILE - UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates the team's win as Baylor guard DiJonai Carrington (21) walks off the court after a college basketball game in the Elite Eight round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, in this Monday, March 29, 2021, file photo. Paige Bueckers is in a class all by herself. UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
The Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Paige Bueckers is in a class all by herself.
UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award Wednesday.
Bueckers helped lead the Huskies to their 13th consecutive Final Four with 28 points in the regional final win over Baylor on Monday night, just the latest star turn for the phenomenol 19-year-old Minnesota native.
'œIt's amazing, surreal for people to think of me that highly and to be in that position as a freshman,'ť Bueckers said. 'œTo get this award, I'm extremely humbled and grateful.'ť
Bueckers was informed she won the award by coach Geno Auriemma during a team video session on Monday. She broke down as she accepted it in front of her teammates.
'œA lot has happened over the past year things that could bring people down," Bueckers said. 'œTo get a reward and find something positive in these times, you cherish them. I was there with my teammates and coaching staff and to get that award with them around me makes you be so grateful for the position I'm in.'ť
Bueckers was an overwhelming choice, receiving 21 votes from the 30-member national media panel that chooses the weekly AP Top 25. Dana Evans of Louisville was second with four votes; Rhyne Howard of Kentucky received two votes; and Michigan;s Naz Hillmon, Texas's Charli Collier and Iowa freshman Caitlin Clark all received a vote.
Former UConn greats Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart both won the award as sophomores. All other winners have been juniors or seniors since the AP started honoring players in 1995.
And now comes Bueckers.
'œThat's crazy to think about, all the great college players who ever played,'ť Bueckers said. 'œThe great freshmen who had done great things in their first year in college basketball, It really is surreal that it's never been done before.'ť
It's the 12th time a UConn player has been honored.
Bueckers, who is from Edina, Minnesota, is averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds this season. She became the first UConn player ever to score 30 or more points in three consecutive games and also set the school record for points in her NCAA debut when she had 24 in the opener against High Point.
'œName one player that has taken a team this young to where we are today,'ť UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. 'œWho's done more than her? And if you can give me a better argument, then I would say I'll vote for them, too. But I don't think you can.'ť
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More AP women's college basketball: https://apnews.com/Womenscollegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
FILE - UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against Xavier during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, file photo. UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary Landers, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Connecticut guard Nika Muhl (10), second from right, hugs guard Paige Bueckers (5) after defeating South Carolina in overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in Storrs, Conn., in this Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, file photo. Paige Bueckers is in a class all by herself. UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award Wednesday, March 31, 2021. At left is UConn's Christyn Williams (13). (David Butler/Pool Photo via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - St. John's guard Kadaja Bailey (30) fouls Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the second quarter of an NCAA college basketball game in New York, in this Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, file photo. Paige Bueckers is in a class all by herself. UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - Connecticut's Paige Bueckers, right, dances over to teammates while celebrating an NCAA college basketball game win in the Big East tournament finals against Marquette at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn, in this Monday, March 8, 2021, file photo. Paige Bueckers is in a class all by herself. UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - UConn guard Paige Bueckers, left, drives to the basket against High Point during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, in this Sunday, March 21, 2021, file photo. Paige Bueckers is in a class all by herself. UConn's star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year award Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
The Associated Press
UConn's Paige Bueckers drives past Baylor's DiJonai Carrington during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Elite Eight round of the Women's NCAA tournament Monday, March 29, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Associated Press
UConn's Paige Bueckers celebrates after an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor in the Elite Eight round of the Women's NCAA tournament Monday, March 29, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. UConn won 69-67 to advance to the Final Four. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Associated Press
UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates a score against Baylor during the first half of a college basketball game in the Elite Eight round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives under pressure from Syracuse guard Tiana Mangakahia (4) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Paige Bueckers, left, and Villanova's Bella Runyan, right, react to a foul called against Villanova during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press