Who is Paige Bueckers? Dallas Wings select UConn star with No. 1 pick in 2025 WNBA draft
Who is Paige Bueckers? Dallas Wings select UConn star with No. 1 pick in 2025 WNBA draft
After a 9-31 finish to the 2024 WNBA season, the Dallas Wings could be on the right path with their No. 1 pick selecting UConn's Paige Bueckers in Monday's WNBA draft.
Many legendary players have come out of UConn to have long, prosperous careers in the pros.
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The 23-year-old guard is the sixth UConn player to be drafted No. 1 overall in the draft's 30th edition, following Sue Bird (2002, Seattle), Diana Taurasi (2004, Phoenix), Tina Charles (2010, Connecticut), Maya Moore (2011, Minnesota) and Breanna Stewart (2016, Seattle).
Bueckers led the UConn Huskies to their first national championship in eight years this past women's college basketball season.
Here is what to know about the No. 1 draft pick coming to Texas.
Who is Paige Bueckers?
Bueckers is a three-time first-team AP All-American. Last season, she averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. She also has several sponsorships to her name including deals with Gatorade, Bose, Dunkin' Donuts, Verizon and Nike, where she has her own signature shoe called the Paige Bueckers G.T. Hustle 3 — becoming the first college athlete under the new name, image, and likeness rules to design and release a Nike basketball shoe.
What did Paige Bueckers say at the WNBA draft?
During the draft, Bueckers was complimentary to her Huskies teammates, coming off a championship season.
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"They mean everything to me, all they've helped me get through, all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, they've seen every side of me, and the love there is unconditional, so forever grateful for them," Bueckers said. "I want to cherish that relationship for the rest of my life, and I wouldn't be here without them. I just want to show a state of gratitude to them."
How long did Bueckers play in college?
Paige Bueckers played college basketball at UConn from 2020 to 2025. Her journey was filled with highs and lows. She missed her entire junior year due to an ACL injury. This year, she and the UConn Huskies won a national championship, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks with a score of 82-59.
What did basketball fans say about Paige Bueckers?
Hoop fans shared their excitement for Bueckers going No. 1 in the draft. Here is what fans on social media said:
USA TODAY Network reporter Scooby Axson contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Who is Paige Bueckers? No. 1 pick in 2025 WNBA draft by Dallas Wings
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