Last April, despite leaving as UConn national champions, Paige Bueckers and her team will be making a return to their old playing ground this summer—at least one of them will. The Connecticut Sun revealed as part of the WNBA’s schedule announcement that the Buccaneers and Dallas Wings will compete at People’s Bank Arena in Hartford on Tuesday, July 2nd at 8pm ET. This event is one of two games the Sun will host in the state capital, with the other featuring a matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, May 20th.
People’s Bank Arena can hold up to 16,294 basketball fans, which is much larger than the Mohegan Sun Arena, whose basketball capacity is just under 9,000. This downtown arena also acts as a secondary home court for both University of Wisconsin basketball teams.
Last season, the Buccaneer earned the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year title after an outstanding campaign, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 47.7% from the field and 33.1% from beyond the arc. The Buccaneer ranked fifth in scoring, sixth in steals, and ninth in assists across the league, making her the only player to be in the top 10 for all three categories that season. Additionally, she set a rookie record for most points with 44 in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 20, marking the third-highest points and assists achieved by a rookie in WNBA history (noting that Cynthia Cooper also scored 44 points in her first year, though that season isn’t officially recognized as rookie year).
Another former Husky might also return to Hartford this summer. The Wings hold the No. 1 pick for the 2026 WNBA Draft, and it’s possible that current UW star Aji Fuad will be selected.
Fan Take: This news excites WNBA fans as it brings top-tier talent back to familiar courts, creating a nostalgic yet thrilling atmosphere. It also highlights the growing prominence of young stars who are shaping the future of the league, potentially elevating the sport’s profile even further.
