“With the gentle that I have now as a White girl who leads a Black-led sport and celebrated listed here, I want to get rid of a mild on Black ladies,” claimed Bueckers, the reigning nationwide player of the yr. “They you should not get the media coverage that they have earned. They’ve specified so considerably to the sport, the group and culture as a entire and their worth is plain.”
The 19-calendar year-aged sophomore stated that previous season in the WNBA, 80% of the submit-season awards had been gained by Black players, but they bought half the quantity of coverage of the White athletes.
“I imagine it is time for transform. Sporting activities media holds the vital to storylines. Sports activities media and sponsors convey to us who is worthwhile, and you have instructed the world that I mattered now, and everyone who voted, thank you. But I believe we ought to use this energy together to also celebrate Black women of all ages.”
She went on to accept other Black ladies trailblazers.
“To Maria Taylor, Robin Roberts, Maya Moore, Odicci Alexander. To all the amazing Black women of all ages in my lifetime and on my groups. To Breonna Taylor and all the lives shed, and to individuals names who are not but uncovered, but I hope to share, I stand guiding you and I proceed to adhere to you, observe your direct and fight for you fellas so I just want to say thank you for everything,” she said.
In her speech, Bueckers also thanked her household, pals, coaches and teammates.
“I’m standing on this phase on your own, but with out them I would not have this award. They have sacrificed so a lot for me,” she reported.
As a freshman guard for the storied UConn staff, Bueckers averaged 20 points and about five assists a video game, leading the Huskies to a stellar 28-2 file and a vacation to the Ultimate Four. She won the John Wooden Award after the time as the greatest women’s college or university basketball participant, the first freshman to acquire the honor.