Paulina Paris is the definition of tough.
The Arizona junior guard has played four games with a broken nose — hence the face mask she wore for the majority of three of those games.
Paris has also been hit in the nose in practice numerous times since the original break and at times has difficulty breathing at night.
While she admits none of this has been easy, she’s still suited up, started and played smarter and with what seems like even gritter defense and with more heart.
The initial collision happened with Jada Williams in practice leading up to the NAU game. The Wildcats were doing reaction drills and Williams “did her signature spin move and her head just smacked into my nose and broke it,” Paris said.
After that, Paris just looked at the scout and film to prepare for the NAU game and still scored a Wildcat game-high 20 points, picked four steals, pulled down eight rebounds and dished three assists in 34 minutes of action sliding over to the point guard position.
Arizona guard Paulina Paris (23) gets fouled on her way to the basket by Grambling State guard Sharonica Hartsfield on Nov. 23, 2024.
“I knew that my team needed me,” Paris said. “Obviously, we were down (without) Jada (who had a concussion), so I was moved to the point guard. I knew that my responsibilities were different that game. But I’m not going to sit here and tell you it was easy. It was hard, even mentally, I was scared of getting hit again, because even with that mask, there’s not really much protection.
“I actually got hit the practice right after NAU. I got hit with my mask, blood again. Got hit the practice after that and then I got hit (Thursday). It’s still broken, but I’m trying to get rid of the mask, because it’s really hard to play with that mask.”
With or without the mask, the Wildcats will depend on Paris when Arizona (6-3) takes on Seattle (2-5) on Monday at 6 p.m. at McKale Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and on the radio at 1400-AM.
The plan is to let the nose heal on its own — as with most broken noses. Paris admitted even just letting it heal is difficult with all the practices and games in the midst of the season, “I’m just trying my best to keep my face out of trouble,” she said.
Arizona guard Paulina Paris (23) looks for room to shoot from under the bucket against Tarleton State in the fourth quarter of their game in Tucson on Nov. 7, 2024.
The break was on the higher part of the nose and at night her airways start to close. She is taking a decongestant to try to keep them open. Plus, she is staying out of one-on-one reaction drills for now.
The plan is also to keep wearing the mask to protect her nose, but it’s not as simple as that. Paris, typically a good free throw shooter, saw her perfect 5 for 5 dip to 3 for 8 against NAU and 6 for 10 against Grambling State.
“I’m not going to lie, the mask is hard to see through,” Paris said. “… The free throws, I don’t know if you have seen my shot, but I shoot from my face. When I’m taking a free throw, the ball is scraping my mask, and then I’m overcompensating for it when I’m letting it go. I shot that one air ball that was pretty bad. A lot of them have hit the back of the rim.”
The mask came off against Vanderbilt after a turnover on an overthrown pass to Breya Cunningham in frustration. Paris said her perception is off. The adjustment has been difficult and while she doesn’t want to use the mask as an excuse, everything keeps coming at her fast – games, practices, etc.
“I probably should have been in the gym more practicing with the mask on, but it was such a short turn around, a lot of travel, it was hard,” Paris said.
Despite all of this over the last four games, since Paris’ nose has been broken, most of her stats have actually gotten better.
She’s scored 48 points during this stretch. In the first five games, she scored 30 points. She’s picked seven steals compared to four. She’s had 22 rebounds compared to 19.
In addition, her overall averages of points (8.7), assists (1.8) and rebounds (4.6) per game are big jumps over her career averages at North Carolina (6.2 points, 1.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds) in the last two seasons. Her final season at UNC was cut short with a meniscus injury to her left knee.
You could say that the Arizona system, development and coaching seems like a good fit for Paris.
“This system definitely needs me more than the last system did,” Paris said. “(I am) trusted more (by UA coach Adia Barnes). I am starting. If I make a mistake, she keeps me in.”
Still, Paris’ growth doesn’t stop here. She wants to get better on both ends of the court. She’s also building back that confidence coming off the surgery to repair her knee. All of that takes time, and Paris reminds herself that every day.
“Confidence is something that I am continuously (working) on,” Paris said. “I am very confident in myself. It’s just some days it’s harder because of the steps taken to get there. … This is the first time in college I’ve had a support system that wants to see me do well and actually believes in me. Having that obviously it brings confidence.
“But again, coming off a knee injury, that’s something that messes with you for a little bit, because you’re scared to plant the way that you did when you got hurt. Surgery is no little thing. It’s the first time I’ve ever had surgery. Every day, (my coaches) have been great. … They’re instilling confidence with me in the weight room and on the court so that’s all I can ask for.”
