Bueckers has always been a top prospect since her high school days. She comes from UConn, which boasts a lineage of elite players coached by Geno Auriemma, including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Diana Taurasi. What else do you need to be the No. 1 draft pick in the WNBA? With just six months to go before her debut, Bueckers has already left an indelible mark.

As she prepares for a new season, UConn held its official annual media day to take video packages and photos for the team’s championship run. Wearing #5 for UConn, Bueckers shared a glimpse of the day on her official Instagram account. “Last anni media day mirror pics,” she penned with a crying emoji.

For Bueckers, it was truly a bittersweet moment. While a whole new season awaits ahead, it is also a reminder of the end of an era that is to be for the Huskies. She made the most noise since Stewart upon recruitment, won all 4 National Player of the Year honors in Freshman year, accumulated record breaking numbers, and had Auriemma say, “She makes the game slow down for her. I’m always surprised when she shoots and it doesn’t go in.”

Now that she nears an end of the most incredible college basketball run, save for the injuries, her 2 million family on Instagram was left weeping. UConn has given her three Final Fours, a championship game, and a long list of accolades. But, there’s more for her to give and receive in the last six months with the Huskies and the fans find themselves in the bittersweet essence.

A championship run to heal Paige Beuckers fans

Suffering injuries twice in 4 years, Beuckers just kept coming back. Even if off the court for nearly two, the star point guard ensured to give moments to remember whatever time on court, including the fastest Husky to reach 1000-career points alongside Maya Moore or becoming the fifth freshman to score 100 points in a single women’s NCAA tournament. With so much more to give and a bit already presented, fans are not ready to let their star player go just yet.

“the caption. excuse me while i cry,” one wrote with a broken heart emoji while another simple expressed, “NOOOO.”

Throughout the challenging run that Beuckers has had during her college, the fans have stuck by. She revealed they became a part of the reason she was able to get through it all. “I can’t put into words what this program has meant to me, what you have meant to me,” Bueckers said to her fans during her senior night last year and the fans remain equally reciprocal of the sentiment.

“tears are rolling down my eyes i love you,” one wrote, emotional at the thought of Beuckers leaving while others dropped a few hearts and fire emojis for the 22-year-old.

But a few were strong nerved, up and excited for the season ahead. UConn is undoubtedly one of the favorites to win the national championship title, with Bueckers playing a major role in their success. Averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, she led the team to Final Four last year. Having endured so much already, Beuckers is fired up for what’s to come ahead and the fans are here for it.

“Last year full season in effect let get it,” one expressed and another followed with “last one best one.”

UConn’s quest for the championship title begins against Boston University on Thursday, Nov. 7. But that’s not all—since she’s projected to be the No. 1 pick, her entry into the WNBA draft in six months is highly anticipated.