UConn women’s basketball player Paige Bueckers has been touted by Dawn Staley as a future Team USA Olympics star, though the guard might need to wait until 2028 to play for the national team.

UConn women’s basketball guard Paige Bueckers seems a long shot to make the loaded Team USA roster for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. But after watching her play this weekend, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley believes she will eventually crack the squad, even if it’s not this summer.

“Paige is gonna be an Olympian at some point,” said Staley after Bueckers scored 20 points in an 83-65 defeat to South Carolina on Sunday.

There hasn’t been much buzz about Bueckers’ Team USA future this season, with college coaches and players primarily locked in on NCAA action.

So, the compliment from a legendary figure like Staley stood out. “She doesn’t take bad shots,” Staley added to reporters. “She only takes shots that are makeable.”

Bueckers once appeared a sure bet to make a future Olympic roster, having won National Player of the Year as a freshman at UConn to cement herself as a top-tier basketball prospect.

Then, injuries threatened to derail her career, stalling momentum as up-and-coming stars at other programs grew in stature.

She’s bounced back with a strong campaign in 2023-24, even while dealing with mental health issues.

However, Team USA is unlikely to have more than one open spot for someone currently in the NCAA because of its vast professional talent pool.

As a result, Bueckers might need to wait until 2028 for a shot at the Olympics.

If Team USA invites someone currently in college, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark appears the frontrunner.

Both Clark and Bueckers have Team USA youth experiences, however Clark has been more prolific offensively this year and brings a massive public profile.