about 2 hours ago

Ryan Ruocco Recalls Paige Bueckers’ Adjustment to WNBA Physicality in Talk With Sue Bird

Ruocco said the most telling moment came when Bueckers admitted, “I’ve had to learn how to defend while fouling again.” In college, she focused on defending without fouling, but the WNBA’s physicality forced a shift. Ruocco told Bird that the comment showed how even stars must adapt as officiating and competition differ from those in the NCAA.