Following a brutal 9-31 season, the Dallas Wings are officially in rebuild mode, and they just made their biggest move to date. UConn basketball sensation Paige Bueckers was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, adding star power and championship pedigree to a team crying out for a turnaround.
Bueckers is no shock to fans or analysts. Universally regarded as the most well-rounded player in her draft class, the 6-foot guard not only possesses talent but a winner's mentality and leadership that can alter the future of the Wings.
A Stellar Collegiate Career at UConn
According to TMZ Sports, Bueckers' ascension to the top of the draft board started at the University of Connecticut, where she immediately established herself as one of the most exciting players in women's college basketball.
Over four powerhouse seasons, she posted 19.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game as the Huskies captured their 12th NCAA championship in 2025. Her winning plays, court vision, and shotmaking ability made her a defense's worst nightmare and any WNBA team's dream selection.
She shone on the court but also accumulated awards like hardware in a trophy case, including the AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, and Three-time Big East Tournament MOP.
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Off the Court: A Role Model in Every Sense
The 23-year-old Bueckers is a basketball legend but an accomplished academic as well. She earned a bachelor's degree in human development and family sciences and made the Dean's List at UConn four times. Her academic success shows she is a force to be reckoned with in academics and athletics.
She's also gone into business, securing a multi-year endorsement contract with Nike, positioning her as one of the future leading figures in women's basketball.
Nothing but gratitude from Paige Bueckers after hearing her name called No. 1 overall by the @DallasWings 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ISj4vR33OC
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 14, 2025
"Just an overwhelming sense of gratitude," Bueckers said on the draft day. "It's super surreal just being here with other draft invitees. My teammates are here. My family's here. Just super grateful. Been focusing on staying present. Staying where my feet are. And to be here right now, I'm just extremely blessed."
When asked about her teammates, Bueckers told USA Today that she considered them her sisters. She was forever grateful for the whole Huskies supporting her WNBA journey.
The Future is Bright: WNBA and Beyond
Along with committing to the WNBA, Bueckers has already been proactive in the changing landscape of pro women's basketball by committing to the Unrivaled League, a 3-on-3 women's league that launches next season. With her name, the league gets instant legitimacy and hype.
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