The lovely Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is already winning hearts in Dallas, and not just for her basketball prowess. During a Dallas Wings introductory press conference on April 23, the former UConn star showcased her quick wit when a reporter dubbed her “the hottest thing in Dallas right now.”
Bueckers, flashing her trademark humility, quipped, “I would say the weather is probably hotter than me. Different than Connecticut and Minnesota.” The room erupted in laughter, and the moment, captured by FOX4 and shared widely on X, cemented her as a fan favorite before even stepping onto the court.
The 23-year-old guard, who led UConn to a 2025 NCAA championship, is no stranger to the spotlight. Her college career boasted 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, earning her the 2021 Wooden Award and three All-American nods.
“Paige’s humor is as sharp as her game,” one X user posted, echoing the sentiment of fans charmed by her dad-joke delivery. Donning a Stetson cowboy hat gifted to the rookies, Bueckers leaned into the Texas vibe, joking about embracing the heat-literal and figurative-in her new home.
Paige’s viral weather joke wins fans at WNBA press conference
Bueckers’ move to Dallas marks a fresh chapter for the Wings, who finished 9-31 in 2024. Paired with four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, she’s expected to form a dynamic backcourt. “She’s electric. I’m looking to assist her a lot, space the floor,” Bueckers said of Ogunbowale, hinting at their potential chemistry. Her humility shines through despite her $1.4 million in NIL deals and endorsements with Nike and StockX. “Her faith keeps her grounded,” Wings GM Curt Miller noted, praising her focus amid the hype.
The presser wasn’t just about laughs. Bueckers expressed excitement for Dallas’ sports culture, name-dropping Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, her favorite player since childhood. “He’s been through injuries like me,” she said, referencing her own ACL recovery in 2022. Fans on X loved her nod to Irving, with one tweeting, “Paige and Kyrie in the same city? Dallas is winning.” Her Minnesota roots got a shoutout too-Hopkins, her hometown, will rename itself “Paige Bueckers, Minn.” on May 16 for her WNBA debut.
From her Tonight Show trophy crash to this viral quip, Bueckers is proving she’s more than a scorer. With 2.6 million TikTok followers and a knack for viral moments, she’s bringing star power to a Wings team hungry for a turnaround, all while keeping the mood light.
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