The biggest headline in the women’s basketball community right now? Paige Bueckers is finally a WNBA player. On April 14, the long-anticipated moment arrived as she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
It’s a great moment for the league, but it also raises an exciting question. As she steps into a team already powered by superstar Arike Ogunbowale, how well will this high-profile backcourt pairing mesh? Let’s dive in to find out just how good of a fit Bueckers is alongside Ogunbowale.
Paige Bueckers, the Game-Changer From Day 1
Bueckers left UConn as one of the most outstanding players in modern NCAA history. Despite battling injuries during her college career, she consistently showcased elite-level playmaking.
Why, one may ask? The 23-year-old led UConn to its 12th national championship title by averaging 19.9 points along with 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in her last year with the Huskies.
One of her standout performances this season came against Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, where she dropped a season-high 40 points and grabbed six rebounds. Now, if we look at her accolades, they are more impressive. The six-footer became the first freshman to win the Naismith Player of the Year and the AP Player of the Year Awards in 2021.
What makes her special is her basketball IQ, court vision, smooth shooting mechanics, and an ability to control the pace of the game. She’s not just a scorer but also a connector, a floor general who elevates everyone around her. And that’s where her fit with Ogunbowale starts to make sense.
Arike Ogunbowale, Who Is the Wings’s Offensive Engine
The Dallas Wings selected Ogunbowale fifth overall during the 2019 WNBA Draft, developing her into one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. During the previous season, Ogunbowale delivered an average of 22.2 points together with 5.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds while receiving her fourth All-Star selection.
READ MORE: No. 1 Pick Paige Bueckers Sets High Expectations for 4-Time WNBA All-Star in Dallas
One of her most memorable performances came in 2024 on Sept. 15 when she scored 27 points against the Indiana Fever and became the fastest WNBA player to reach the 4,000-point mark in just 195 games.
Now coming to her skills, the 5’8″ guard thrives in iso situations, has deep shooting range, and plays with unmatched confidence in crunch time.
The Perfect Backcourt Balance?
That’s where Bueckers’ arrival is so exciting. She can take playmaking pressure off Ogunbowale, allowing her to focus more on scoring. With Bueckers handling the ball and taking care of the offense, Ogunbowale can get more off-ball looks, cleaner shooting opportunities, and fresher legs late in games. Defensively, Bueckers’s instincts and on-ball presence complement Ogunbowale’s offensive mindset.
The pairing gives Dallas a dynamic inside-outside threat and a true one-two punch. If chemistry clicks, the Wings could have one of the most dangerous backcourts in the league.