Paige Bueckers has officially claimed the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year award , and Dallas Wings general manager Curt Miller believes her story is only starting.
While the team’s record this season has left much to be desired, Bueckers’ performance has given wings to optimism at every level in Dallas.
Miller posted on X following the announcement: “Incredible player… better person. This is just the beginning. Congratulations Paige!”
That sentiment has echoed through the Wings organization, one still seeking to restore itself after years of underachievement.
Bueckers, taken first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has legitimized that faith with eye-catching numbers and consistent effort.
A rookie season that turned heads
From day one, expectations were high. After a storied career at UConn, including a national championship, Bueckers entered the league with pressure to perform.
She delivered. Over 36 starts this regular season, she averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
Her shooting efficiency was notable too: she shot roughly 47-48 percent from the field.
The highlight moment may have come against the Los Angeles Sparks, where she dropped a rookie single-game record 44 points while making 17 of 21 shots.
Despite those individual highs, the Wings’ overall season was a struggle. Dallas posted a 10-34 record, finishing at or near the bottom of the standings.
Still, Bueckers’ performances prevented the narrative from being one of unmitigated disappointment.
What Miller’s words mean for the offseason
Curt Miller‘s praise for Bueckers, “just the beginning”, hints at more than personal elevation. It frames Bueckers as a cornerstone around which the franchise must build.
Her success has revealed both how far the Wings are from contention and how quickly things could accelerate if the front office makes the right moves.
In many ways, Bueckers is already doing more than simply filling the stat sheet. She is raising the standard.
She was named a starter in the 2025 All-Star Game, swept Rookie of the Month honors, and led all rookies in points and assists.
Larger implications for Dallas Wings
The Wings now face the challenge of matching Bueckers‘ individual excellence with roster pieces and system support necessary for team success.
They have a foundational star, someone rare enough to change the direction of a franchise, but whether the supporting cast catches up remains to be seen.
For fans unfamiliar with Paige Bueckers: she was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft out of UConn, where she won a national championship and earned multiple All-American honors.
She arrived in Dallas during a front office overhaul: a new GM, a renewed vision, and hopes for a faster rebuild.
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