Paige Bueckers’ numbers were off the charts in her final season with the University of Connecticut. The 6-foot guard led the Huskies in points, assists, and minutes, and ranked second in steals. The 23-year-old emerged as the consensus No. 1 pick after producing a stellar stat line as a senior. One teammate believes Bueckers’ intelligence and ability to read the game are what separates her from the competition.
It has been just two weeks since the Dallas Wings selected Bueckers with the first pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, and she is already dazzling her new teammates. Bueckers’ strong training sessions have not gone unnoticed, with veteran DiJonai Carrington impressed by what she has seen from the rookie so far.
DiJonai Carrington Highlights No. 1 Pick Paige Bueckers’ ‘Feel for the Game’
Making the jump to the pros can sometimes be challenging for rookies, with the speed and intensity of the WNBA a level above what younger players are used to in college. Bueckers, however, has plenty of experience under her belt and offers a complete game that few college players can match.
After working out with Bueckers, Carrington was asked by reporters about her first impressions of the young guard.
“She is a student of the game. Her IQ is super high, you don’t have to tell her things multiple times,” said Carrington. “She understands basketball, she understands reading defenses, she understands defensively how to switch and being there for each other. It’s huge when you have a good feel for the game.”
Carrington has been around the game long enough to be able to spot a special talent. The fourth-year guard/forward has already featured in 158 WNBA games (regular season and playoffs) and was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player in 2024. Carrington was also a member of the Connecticut Sun team that went all the way to the WNBA Finals in 2022.
The Wings struggled last season, winning just nine of their 40 games to finish 11th in the standings. The organization made some big moves during the offseason, and adding Bueckers will give them a real boost next season.
Bueckers signed a four-year deal with the Wings and should make an immediate impact. She joins a talented group of players in Dallas that includes Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, Teaira McCowan, and Arike Ogunbowale.
It will be interesting to see how Bueckers and four-time All-Star Ogunbowale gel in new coach Chris Koclanes’ system. Both players like to bring the ball up and are exceptional shooters. With Bueckers and Ogunbowale forming one of the most dangerous backcourts in the WNBA, the Wings will be expected to return to the postseason in 2025.