After losing a generational talent in Luka Doncic last February, the city of Dallas gained another one in the form of Paige Bueckers.
The Wings selected Bueckers as the no. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft in an expected move, landing perhaps the most exciting women’s hooper today.
It came just eight days after the 23-year-old capped off her stellar college year by leading the UConn Huskies to a 12th NCAA women’s basketball title, via a 82-59 blowout of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
"Dallas I'm so excited, a new city, a new start so let's get it," Bueckers said.
Nothing but gratitude from Paige Bueckers after hearing her name called No. 1 overall by the @DallasWings 🙌
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 14, 2025
The former 2021 national player of the year became the sixth UConn player to be drafted as the top pick after Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011) and Breanna Stewart (2016).
ANOTHA ONE ??
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 14, 2025
Paige Bueckers joins the list of UConn legends to go first overall in the #WNBAdraft 👏
“The addition of Paige is another huge momentum-building moment for the Wings franchise and team. She is one of the most efficient and decorated players we have seen in the history of the collegiate game,” Wings executive vice president and general manager Curt Miller said in a statement.
Even Mavericks star Anthony Davis expressed his excitement in welcoming Bueckers to Dallas.
“Can't wait to get you here, support you, come to some games and watch you do your thing,” Davis bared in a video release.
From one No. 1 pick to another…
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 14, 2025
AD welcomes @paigebueckers1 to Dallas 🙌#MFFL
Paige joins a rejigged Wings team that include four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale alongside offseason DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and NaLyssa Smith. Dallas will open their 2025 campaign against last season’s runners-up Minnesota Lynx.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm took 19-year-old French star Dominique Malonga as the second overall pick while the Washington Mystics tabbed Notre Dame's Sonia Citron as the third selection.
The first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft presented by @StateFarm is complete ?
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2025
