Paige Bueckers Shines as Dallas Wings’ Rookie of the Year

STORRS, Connecticut — Paige Bueckers has made a significant impact since transitioning from the UConn Huskies to the WNBA. After winning an NCAA championship in 2025, she was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings.

Bueckers averaged 19.8 points per game during her college career, making her one of the top players in UConn women’s basketball history. Her impressive stats included a 53.1% field goal rate and 42.3% from three-point range.

Diana Taurasi, a WNBA legend and former UConn player, praised Bueckers for her ability to elevate her teammates. “The hardest thing to do is pass the ball. Paige does it, and that’s what sets her apart,” Taurasi said.

In her first WNBA season, Bueckers scored an average of 19 points per game over 47 games, along with nearly four rebounds and five assists. Despite the Wings’ struggles with a 10-win season, Bueckers shined individually, earning the title of Rookie of the Year.

She even set a personal best with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks. Bueckers demonstrated her scoring ability throughout the season, surpassing 20 points in 17 games.

Her performance placed her among the top scorers in the league, ranking fifth in points per game and tenth in assists. Bueckers’s remarkable journey shows her talent and determination as she continues to grow in professional basketball.