Before I Turn the Paige
In this heartfelt tribute, Lonnie “Prime” Harrell gives flowers to the UCONN Huskies women’s basketball team after their historic 12th championship. Blending personal memories with deep respect for the game, Prime reflects on the beauty of UCONN’s style of play, the brilliance of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, and the legacy being written in real time. For basketball lovers and culture heads alike, this post is a celebration of greatness, resilience, and the magic that happens when talent meets teamwork.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALLWNBANCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALLPAIGE BUECHERSUCONNAZZI FUDDCHRIS DAILEYGENO AURIEMMAJAMELLE ELLIOTT
Prime
4/12/20253 min read
Before I flip the page on this chapter, I gotta stop and show major love to the UCONN Huskies women’s basketball team. What Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey just accomplished, again is legendary. That’s 12 titles. Twelve! That’s not just winning… that’s building an empire, brick by brick, year after year. You can’t write the history of basketball without UCONN sitting right at the top.
For me, watching UCONN is like rewatching your favorite movie or bingeing your favorite show, something that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Doesn’t matter who they’re playing… the way they move as one, the grit, the unselfishness, the basketball IQ, it’s art. The skill, the chemistry, the execution, it’s like a perfectly composed symphony. You don’t just watch UCONN. You feel UCONN.
I had been waiting to see this squad fully healthy. And let me tell you, it was worth the wait.
Paige Bueckers… listen, that girl is a generational talent. I remember seeing her up close back in high school at Spooky Nook in Pennsylvania, during the Under Armour Association (UAA) Circuit. She was going head-to-head with another elite hooper, her now teammate, Azzi Fudd. Wild how life works, right? They probably planned their union then.
Azzi? I’ve been watching her since the seventh grade, playing up, 16U AAU ball. Even back then, you could tell she was different. Smooth, composed, unbothered by pressure. A fierce defensive player with a beautiful jump-shot. She’s always had it. And now, seeing her back on the court, making noise again? Man, I’m just glad she’s returning for one more season. This season was special, but prayerfully, she gets a full healthy run next year. If she does, it’s gonna be problems for anybody trying to guard her. And for all the doubters out there who think UCONN’s about to fall off without Paige?
You’re about to Fudd around and find out.
I want to give a huge shot out to my childhood friend who made me fall in love with women's basketball in middle school, Jamelle Elliot. Assistant Coach for the UCONN Huskies.
