Basketball player Paige Bueckers, currently on Dallas Wings' roster, is experiencing her long-held youthful ambition in reality.
Going Pro: Paige Bueckers Makes WNBA Debut with Dallas Wings
Fresh off leading the Connecticut Huskies to their first national championship in nine years, Wings point guard Paige Bueckers steps into the WNBA stage. As the No. 1 overall pick from April's draft, she's ready to embrace the excitement and challenges ahead on her professional journey.
In a candid interview with NBC News, Bueckers shared her thoughts on this life-defining moment, stating, "It feels like a dream, man. You work so hard to get to this stage, and you want to see what you do with it. You want to continue to build and get better."
Bueckers, at 23 years old, embarks on her career after an eventful collegiate run. Plagued by injuries, she appeared in only 17 games during the 2021-22 season and missed the entirety of the following year due to a torn ACL. But she bounced back in a big way, guiding the Huskies to the Final Four in 2024 before claiming the championship in April. She closed out her college career as the third all-time leading scorer at Connecticut.
Now, as she joins the Dallas team, expectations are high for Bueckers, who has already established herself as one of the biggest stars in the women's game. In her first outing against the Minnesota Lynx, she scored 10 points, snatched 7 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists in a hard-fought battle ending in a 99-84 loss.
With the Dallas team struggling to break through in the playoffs since relocating to Texas in 2016, Bueckers hopes to help make a lasting impact, leading the team to greater heights.
"I'm bringing a passion and sense of pride," she declared. "I want to be grateful for this opportunity, and I want to use it as a platform to build something special."
The WNBA is experiencing renewed interest and anticipation, with Bueckers entering the league at the same time as heightened audience enthusiasm following the league's highest-watched Finals game in 25 years. Bueckers acknowledges her role in nurturing the league's growth, stating, "We need to continue to build on the foundation that was laid for us and raise the bar for future generations."
Celebrations for Bueckers' hometown of Hopkins have already begun as the community shares in her triumph. And off the court, she's setting trends with her striking fashion choices. Last opening night, she was noticed as one of the best-dressed players.
As Bueckers begins her WNBA journey, the future looks bright for this young and talented superstar. Fans are eager to witness her growth, development, and impact on the women's game. The stage is set for Bueckers to create history and inspire the next generation of players.
[Source: NBC News, AP, and WNBA]
Priscilla Thompson and Rohan Nadkarni contributed to this report.
Paige Bueckers, enthusiastic about her WNBA debut, shared that she's excited to explore the challenges and excitement of professional basketball with the Dallas Wings. As she scored 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists in her first game against Minnesota Lynx, Bueckers demonstrated her talent and ambition in the WNBA, a league currently experiencing renewed interest and anticipation.
