Picked No. 1 overall in this year’s WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers shined in the Wings’ 112-78 rout of the Las Vegas Aces.
During the first preseason game with Dallas, Paige scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers, and 4 rebounds. However, it hasn’t been long since she wore UConn colors.
Her transition to the WNBA has taken her by surprise and at great speed, and about this Paige spoke in a press conference:
“To think about, like, three weeks ago, or, a month ago now that we were playing the national title at UConn, and now we’re here in the WNBA and we’re playing the first preseason game” she said and closed: “It’s just been a whirlwind.
Although her career in the league is still in its infancy, Bueckers understands that she has a big role to play on the team. As for his game and facing his opponents, he commented, “I’ve always been pretty finesse, weaving my way through traffic, not necessarily avoiding contact, but being smart about deciding when to take advantage of the ball and when you want to slow down.”
In addition, she confessed that the key is “knowing the balance between not wanting to be too physical, especially after a long season and exhausting my body, but also being willing to accept contact on both sides of the court and use it to my advantage.”
Her family and her role as a big sister
During her senior year as a UConn student, she admitted that the day she became a big sister was “one of the best days of her life.” Being a role model and companion motivates her every day to improve herself.
“I know how important it is to have a person you can vent to, go to for advice. Just for them to be able to look up to the big, big sister and want to fill those shoes,” said Bueckers.
In addition, she knows that her impact in the WNBA exposes her to also be an example to the girls and women who look up to her and take her as an inspiration. She continued, “It doesn’t even mean basketball-wise, but who I am as a person, it means everything to me, and it just makes your interactions with kids a little bit special, because you know how much it can impact them.”
Her work in Dallas
Paige Bueckers has a lot of weight to carry on her shoulders. Even with all the success of her choice, Paige doesn’t have it easy.
The Wings are coming off losing their three-year playoff streak by winning just nine games last season. That’s why Dallas is fully confident that her addition will help the team achieve new and important victories.
Their next game is against the Toyota Antelopes, a Japanese professional team, on May 10. After that, the regular season will start and the Wings will host the Minnesota Lynx at home on May 16.
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