STORRS, Conn. (AP) — I’ve constantly been a fan of March Madness.

Increasing up I keep in mind watching UConn personal it. Confident, I keep in mind Stewie (Breanna Stewart) winning 4 in a row, but my initial memory was when Stefanie Dolson helped the Huskies win. She was my favored UConn player developing up.

Rapidly forward to the final handful of years exactly where I’ve basically got to knowledge playing in it myself. It may well not have been the norm with my initial year becoming in the San Antonio bubble mainly because of COVID and final season I was coming back from injury, but it really is an wonderful feeling to play on the game’s most significant stage.

You function so difficult as a competitor to play in this and win at the finish of the season.

As numerous of you know this year I am out recovering from a torn ACL injury that I suffered more than the summer season. I’ve been operating difficult more than the final six-to-seven months on rehabbing. There is nonetheless a techniques to go, but just about every day I am obtaining sturdy and healthier. I’ve been capable to do additional basketball drills in the course of practice, but nonetheless am a bit way from get in touch with.

I’ve trusted my faith and know that God does every little thing for a cause and that is helped me by means of this. Even although I cannot play I’ve identified other techniques to enable the group. You do not see specific items when you happen to be playing and I’ve broken items down on the bench providing suggestions right here and there. I’d rather be “Player P” than “Coach P” but now I do what I can to enable us win.

I discovered final year never ever take something for granted when I went down with an injury and was fortunate adequate to come back and play in my hometown of Minneapolis for the Final 4.

The season is extended and grueling and some men and women get tired and I remind them that they are blessed to play basketball and play right here at UConn.

I also know that I can nonetheless be a optimistic part model for little ones although I am not playing. I keep in mind when I was young attempting to get Maya Moore or Lindsay Whalen’s signature and how specific that produced me really feel. Anytime I am at games, I take a handful of minutes and take selfies with men and women and sign autographs.

I can also be a part model in other techniques. My injury is however also popular in women’s basketball and there are numerous other people who have gone by means of it. It is a extended procedure and I hope my recovery can enable inspire other people to preserve their faith and continue to function difficult to get back healthier.

Certainly we have a single objective in thoughts and that is winning a championship, but associate head coach Chris Dailey does a terrific job of assisting us have exciting, also.

The other evening we had dinner at Coach’s (Geno Auriemma’s) restaurant and played a mystery game with a pajama celebration theme exactly where we had to figure out who the “Riddler” was. Everybody on the group was assigned a part and coach was on the side not playing, but stirring the pot attempting to distract everybody.

There is no doubt that Amari (DeBerry) and Aaliyah (Edwards) have been the most committed to their roles and costumes.

Of course Azzi (Fudd) was the culprit we had to guess. It was a exciting evening.

CD puts these items with each other to enable us get out of our apartments exactly where we invest most of the day watching basketball. Of course that is half the exciting of March Madness — watching all the games. We’re specifically excited to watch our men’s group play.

Till subsequent time, go Huskies!

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UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers is checking in periodically in the course of the NCAA Tournament. She’s nonetheless recovering from an ACL injury.

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AP March Madness coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-prime-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25