This was after the West Region final, after Jalen Suggs had nearly posted a triple-double, beating USC every possible way in a performance that screamed out top-three draft pick.
The cut-down net hanging around his neck, Suggs was asked about the women’s NCAA Tournament, and in particular Paige Bueckers, UConn’s dynamite freshman.
His face lit up like a Christmas tree.
“She said some things that really helped me,” Gonzaga’s impressive freshman lead guard said. “It got me going. … She’s the GOAT for a reason.”
Bueckers has made similar comments about Suggs, her close friend and fellow Minnesotan. Together, the two ultra-talented, 19-year-old guards from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area are taking over college basketball, leading their respective teams into the Final Four and doing their best to stay connected from a distance.
The 6-foot-4 Suggs and overall top seed Gonzaga enter the men’s Final Four undefeated, looking to become the first team since Indiana in 1975-76 to finish off the year without a single loss. Bueckers, the first women’s player to be named the Associated Press Player of the Year as a freshman, has led No. 1 UConn to within two wins of a 12th national championship.
The 5-foot-11 Bueckers, known for her ball-handling wizardry and lights-out jumper, keyed the one-loss Huskies’ rally from 10 down in the Elite Eight against No. 2 Baylor, scoring 28 points and hitting three 3-pointers.
Their relationship traces back to the fifth grade, when a close friend of Bueckers’ was on the same team as Suggs. She would tag along and mimic the drills the team would be doing on the sideline, sometimes even joining them. They played on a few teams together and a friendship sprouted between two elite like-minded athletes.
“Almost like cousins, or sister-brother,” is how Tara Starks, Bueckers’ longtime AAU coach who knows Suggs and his family well, described their relationship.
In the eighth grade, they both played varsity. They developed into heralded five-star high school prospects, each winning state championships in 2019, Suggs with Minnehaha Academy and Bueckers with Hopkins High School. They both played for USA Basketball, winning a combined seven gold medals, and were the Minnesota Gatorade players of the year as seniors. For Bueckers, it was her third such award in a row. Suggs won it in both football and basketball.
“They’ve always challenged each other,” Starks said. “Paige does something, she’ll call Jalen and say you have to do it now. Jalen does something, he’ll text or call Paige and tell her you have to do this now. The fact that they both have had success, they can kind of feed off of each other, as well as challenge each other, ‘Hey, I did it, now it’s your turn.’
“That kind of helped them get through all the media and all the talk, having somebody who’s going through the same stuff you’re going through.”
They became integral parts of each other’s life. They still work out with each other when they are home, competing in friendly shooting competitions. Bueckers is so close to the Suggs family, she doesn’t have to ring the doorbell.
“Those friends don’t knock on the door,” said Suggs’ father, Larry. “They just come in.”
Attending colleges in different parts of the country hasn’t changed their relationship. They remain close, helping one another particularly in tough times, rare for them on the court, offering encouragement after bad performances or constructive criticism after good ones. They share text messages after every game. During UConn’s Elite Eight win, Suggs was locked in, pacing as he watched the nail-biter.
“I couldn’t sit down,” he said.
Afterwards, they spoke, and the next night Suggs turned in his best game of the tournament.
“It helps to have that person to lean on, knowing he goes through the same things I do,” Bueckers told ESPN. “He’s my biggest fan, and I’m his biggest fan.”
Their future is incredibly bright. Suggs is a likely top-three pick, and could be in the mix to be No. 1. Bueckers will have to wait a little longer. She won’t be eligible for the WNBA draft until 2023 at the earliest, because there are different eligibility rules for the women.
Both, however, could be the first player taken in their respective sports.
“We joke and we laugh about that,” Larry Suggs said. “We’re like, ‘Jalen, you might have the harder one. Paige, you’re probably a lock.’ ”
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an avid basketball enthusiast and expert, I have closely followed the careers of Jalen Suggs and Paige Bueckers, two incredibly talented young guards who are making waves in the college basketball scene. My knowledge of their journey, from their early days as promising prospects to their current status as leaders of their respective teams, allows me to provide valuable insights into their unique bond and their future prospects.
Jalen Suggs, a dynamic lead guard for Gonzaga, has showcased his exceptional skills and versatility throughout the season. His recent performance in the West Region final against USC demonstrated his ability to dominate the game in multiple ways, almost achieving a triple-double. Suggs' outstanding display on the court has solidified his status as a potential top-three draft pick, drawing attention and recognition from basketball enthusiasts and experts alike.
During an interview after the game, Suggs was asked about the women's NCAA Tournament and specifically about Paige Bueckers, the sensational freshman from UConn. Suggs' face immediately lit up, expressing his admiration and gratitude towards Bueckers. He credited her for saying things that had a profound impact on him and for motivating him to perform at his best. Suggs even went as far as calling her the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time), highlighting the deep respect and friendship they share.
Paige Bueckers, a highly skilled guard for UConn, has also been making headlines with her exceptional performances on the court. As the first women's player to be named the Associated Press Player of the Year as a freshman, Bueckers has led her team to the Final Four, inching closer to a potential 12th national championship for UConn. Her ball-handling wizardry and lights-out shooting have been instrumental in her team's success, especially in their comeback victory against Baylor in the Elite Eight.
The bond between Suggs and Bueckers traces back to their early years in basketball. They played together on various teams and developed a close friendship, often pushing each other to excel in their respective games. This camaraderie has continued to thrive, with both players supporting and challenging each other through the ups and downs of their basketball careers. They have become integral parts of each other's lives, even working out together during their breaks and maintaining constant communication to offer encouragement and feedback.
Despite attending colleges in different parts of the country, their friendship remains unshaken. They continue to support each other, providing a sense of familiarity and understanding that helps them navigate the challenges of being in the spotlight. Their shared experiences and unwavering support have undoubtedly played a crucial role in their individual successes.
Looking ahead, both Suggs and Bueckers have incredibly bright futures ahead of them. Suggs is projected to be a top-three draft pick in the upcoming NBA draft, with the potential to even secure the number one spot. Bueckers, on the other hand, will have to wait until 2023, according to the WNBA's eligibility rules for women players. However, there is no doubt that she is a strong contender to be the first player chosen when her time comes.
As their careers progress, Suggs and Bueckers will continue to inspire basketball fans around the world with their exceptional skills, unwavering friendship, and mutual respect. Their journey together serves as a testament to the power of camaraderie and support in achieving greatness on and off the court.
