The 2025 WNBA Draft kicked off with UConn Huskies standout Paige Bueckers being selected as the first overall pick by the Dallas Wings. Bueckers, who had been touted as a top pick since her entrance into UConn, expressed her gratitude and excitement at being chosen alongside other draft invitees. Her stellar senior season, which saw her average 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting over 50% from the field and from deep, culminated in a national championship win with the Huskies. Bueckers’ ability to score from anywhere on the court and run Geno Auriemma’s offense through her earned her a fourth consecutive All-Tournament Team nod from the NCAA. Despite falling short of a national championship game appearance during her junior season, Bueckers’ stellar performances throughout her college career marked her as a standout talent heading into the WNBA.
After leading UConn to a national championship win, Bueckers is now set to join the Dallas Wings, a team led by All-Star Arike Ogunbowale. With expectations sky-high for the young guard, Bueckers is expected to bring a dynamic skill set to the Wings, adding another scoring threat to the team’s lineup. Over her four years at UConn, Bueckers averaged nearly 20 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting over 53% from the field across 123 career games. Her impact on the court, combined with her leadership and playmaking abilities, make her a valuable addition to any team in the league.
Bueckers’ rise to the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft follows a trend of dominant performances in college, similar to that of Caitlin Clark, who was the consensus top selection the year before. Clark, who went on to win the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award, set records during her rookie season after being drafted by the Indiana Fever. Bueckers’ selection as the first overall pick in the draft marks a significant milestone in her career, as she looks to make an impact in the professional league following a successful college career.
As she embarks on her WNBA journey, Bueckers will bring a wealth of experience and skill to the Dallas Wings, who are looking to build a competitive roster around their existing All-Star talent. Joining forces with Ogunbowale, Bueckers will have the opportunity to showcase her abilities on a bigger stage and prove herself as one of the top young talents in the league. With her track record of success in college and her natural talent for scoring and playmaking, Bueckers has the potential to make a significant impact in the WNBA and continue her rise as a star player.
Overall, Bueckers’ selection as the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft cements her status as one of the top prospects in the league. With a successful college career behind her and a national championship win under her belt, Bueckers is poised to make a significant impact in the WNBA and continue her rise as a star player in the future. As she joins the Dallas Wings and looks to build on her already impressive resume, Bueckers will have the opportunity to showcase her skills at the professional level and make a name for herself in the world of women’s basketball.
