Paige Bueckers is a WNBA star now, but her UConn roots run deep. The guard celebrated when former teammate Aaliyah Edwards returned to campus for a special honor, sharing a simple two-word message to mark the occasion.

She took to Instagram and wrote a simple but excited message: “Liliiiii Day!!!!.”

Edwards and Bueckers have shared a strong relationship from their time at UConn. Back in 2024, Bueckers even went on to say,

"We've built such a strong relationship ever since we came into UConn together as freshmen and it means everything to be here, especially with all the blows we were dealt. The adversity that we went through to really come together and find strength within each other and lead this group of freshmen here to the Final Four."

Later in October 2025, the two even vacationed in Turks and Caicos. And just two months later, their former head coach, Geno Auriemma revealed what it was like to have them on the same team.

"You know what's funny is, there's just a different vibe. Even today, there's just a different vibe when [Bueckers and Edwards are] there. It's great to reminisce on a lot of things. It's great to see that they haven't changed much, and yet, it's great to see how different they are, just in the short time that they've been away."

But that's not all Auriemma had to say. He didn't waste a moment to praise her once the honor was announced.

Geno Auriemma Makes Bold Aaliyah Edwards Claim

“I thought Aaliyah Edwards may have been one of the top five players in the entire tournament,” Geno Auriemma said Tuesday. “Sometimes careers go smoothly; sometimes it’s rocky. She managed to make the best out of a very difficult situation.”

Now, since Edwards was a WBCA All-American during her senior season in 2023–24, she became eligible for the Huskies of Honor. That helped her stand among the elite and get her number placed among the banners hanging in the rafters at Gampel Pavilion. 

She also became a part of Wooden Award All-American, All-Big East selection, and USBWA Second Team All-American. So Bueckers’ message wasn’t just for a former teammate. It was for a Husky legend.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar