From raising a trophy to raising expectations, Paige Bueckers wasted zero time making it clear: She didn’t come to Dallas for a rebuild. She came to build something real.
After leading the University of Connecticut to its first NCAA title in nearly a decade, the superstar guard heard her name called first at the 2025 WNBA Draft. With that, the Dallas Wings officially became Bueckers’ team, and the mission began.
Paige Bueckers: A New Era in Dallas Begins
The Wings didn’t just draft a player. They drafted a cultural reset. With the franchise coming off a brutal 9-31 season, missing the playoffs, and switching coaches, the No. 1 overall pick couldn’t have arrived at a more pivotal moment. And Bueckers? She’s embracing every bit of it.
“A whole new team, so we’re excited for that new, fresh start,” she said during her draft night media session. “It’s not a rebuild, it’s a build from where we are.”
“It’s not a rebuild, it’s a build from where we are."
Paige Bueckers ready to get to work in Dallas 💪 pic.twitter.com/CDL05AfJ8z
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 15, 2025
That energy is exactly what Dallas has been missing.
She also broke down during her tribute to her UConn teammates and coach Geno Auriemma. “They mean everything to me,” she said, full of emotion. “They helped me get through highs and lows.”
Fresh off an NCAA championship where she averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting nearly 54% from the field, the former national player of the year now steps into the pros with one goal: transformation.
Bueckers Could Become The Blueprint for Dallas’ Success
The Wings won the draft lottery for the first time in franchise history back in November. And with Bueckers officially in blue and white now, it already feels like the win they’ve been waiting for.
And she’s bringing more than just her game — she’s bringing pedigree. Bueckers joins an elite group as she becomes the sixth player in NCAA history to win a national title and go No. 1 overall in the same year.
Bueckers’ presence marks a complete shift for the franchise. With Arike Ogunbowale still anchoring the backcourt and a roster full of untapped potential, the Wings now have a cornerstone: a leader and a builder.
She’s got that poise, the calmness under pressure, and that chip on her shoulder. This just might be the fuel that the Wings need to fly high in the league.
Post-draft, Bueckers took a moment to reflect: “Just so much gratitude, so much appreciation for the journey that it took to get here.”
"Just so much gratitude, so much appreciation for the journey that it took to get here" 🙏
Paige Bueckers sat down with @TaylorRooks right after getting drafted 1st Overall in the 2025 @WNBA draft 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Mpt6sDu1kP
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 15, 2025
But as emotional as the moment was, Bueckers is already locked in on what’s next. And for the Wings, that next chapter just got a whole lot more exciting.