Paige Buckers is ready to take the WNBA by storm. Just weeks after leading the University of Connecticut to its first national championship since 2016, the standout guard was selected with the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings. She now joins the ranks of UConn legends such as Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore, all of whom were also No. 1 picks. The Wings, looking to turn their fortunes around after missing the playoffs last season, see Bueckers as a game-changer. They’re banking on her to ignite the same kind of excitement that Caitlin Clark ignited in Indiana, where a stunning run of play drove record attendance and jersey sales.
From ‘Why Me?’ to ‘Why Not Me?’
On Good Morning America, Bueckers opened up about the mental shift that got her through some rough years. The national champion and top draft pick said her faith and the tight-knit support of her UConn teammates were her anchors. “I used to be like, ‘Why me?’ when things got tough,” she admitted, “but now it’s like, ‘Why not me?’ when I’m getting ready for the next step.” That resilience has been key.
As a freshman, she lit up the court, leading the Huskies to the Final Four and breaking the school’s assists record. But a left knee injury sidelined her for most of her sophomore year – though she still led her team to the national title game, only to lose to South Carolina. Then came a torn ACL her junior season, another gut punch. Last year, though, she roared back, earning unanimous first-team All-American honors and leading UConn back to the Final Four, though they fell just short in a 71-69 thriller against Clark’s Iowa. Their story isn’t just about talent; it’s about heart.
A Healthy Future for a Rising Star
Looking ahead, Bueckers’ biggest wish is simple: to stay healthy. Her college career showed what she’s capable of when she’s at full strength-silky-smooth scoring, pinpoint passing, and a knack for big moments. But injuries-knee problems and a torn ACL-have been popping up like unwanted guests. Now, as she enters the WNBA, fans and Wings alike are crossing their fingers that she can dodge the injury bug.
Her first taste of the pro ball begins soon, with training camp on April 27 and her debut against last year’s runner-up, the Lynx, on May 16. If she can keep her body in check, there’s no telling how high she’ll climb. Imagine: If Bueckers, Clark and Angel Reese continue their upward trajectory, they could be wearing Team USA jerseys together at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. That’s the dream, and Bueckers has the drive to make it happen.
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