Panini NIL: Paige Bueckers and UConn Win National Championship

Written by: Kara Gates

After nine years without a national title — a rare drought by UConn’s lofty standards — the Huskies are once again queens of college basketball. With a dominant 82-59 win over South Carolina, UConn captured its 12th national championship, reminding the world what happens when a Hall of Fame coach, a deep roster of scorers and relentless defense come together at the perfect time. This year’s squad didn’t just win, they made a statement.

Led by Geno Auriemma, UConn entered the tournament on a mission. The team’s best players stepped up in huge moments, helping fuel an incredible run through the bracket and all the way to the top. The defense was suffocating. The ball movement? Vintage UConn. And in the title game, they were simply unstoppable, proving to be crisp on offense, locked in on the perimeter and fearless in transition. It wasn’t just a win, it was a full-circle performance for a program built on consistency and title expectations.

Backcourt sensation Paige Bueckers had her fingerprints all over her team’s run. She returned this season with a vengeance, leading by example and putting together one of the most impressive stretches of her career during the tourney. In the championship game, she delivered a calm, confident performance that helped steady the team through early nerves. As she told reporters earlier in the tournament, “I think everything in life has kind of taught me not to take things for granted.” That mindset was clear in every game she played.

This win wasn’t about one player, of course: It was about a team that found its identity at the perfect time. It was about trust, chemistry and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it was the veterans executing the game plan or the younger players embracing their roles, UConn looked like a program that never left the mountaintop. It just needed this year to climb back. And now, with banner No. 12 on the way, the message is clear: UConn is back — and everyone else just got reminded why that’s such a problem.

Fans looking to celebrate the Huskies’ championship and Bueckers’ unforgettable run can grab a piece of history with Panini America’s exclusive trading cards. Bueckers is featured in new Panini Instant cards, available for a limited time, capturing iconic moments from UConn’s title-winning performance. It’s the perfect way to honor one of the game’s brightest stars as she closes out her college career.

And for collectors who want the full experience, the 2024-25 Panini University of Connecticut Collegiate Basketball trading card box offers exclusive cards of some of the best talents on the roster, commemorating a season of grit, dominance and a return to glory.