The Paige Bueckers era in the WNBA has officially begun.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft reported to training camp on Sunday with the Dallas Wings, kicking off her professional career and stepping into a pivotal leadership role. And while Bueckers has long been known for her elite playmaking and court vision, she’s already noticed the massive leap in competition at the pro level.
After her first session with the Wings, Bueckers spoke to reporters about the challenges and excitement of adjusting to her new team and responsibilities.
“Learning a new offense, being a leader on the court, being the quarterback for the offense — knowing what to call, when to call it,” she said. “Just leaning on the coaching staff for help, asking questions, and communicating with teammates. Having that level of communication on the floor obviously helps a lot.”
While she started her college career at UConn as a true point guard, Bueckers spent much of her later years playing off the ball under coach Geno Auriemma. That adjustment ultimately paid off, culminating in the Huskies’ national title run in 2025. Now, under Wings head coach Chris Koclanes, Bueckers is expected to return to her roots and lead the offense from the top — this time on the biggest stage.
With Arike Ogunbowale continuing as Dallas’ primary scorer, Bueckers will serve as the facilitator, setting the tempo and creating opportunities for her teammates. Add in a shooter like DiJonai Carrington and the floor suddenly looks wide open — a dream scenario for any true floor general.
It all starts with the 1st Paige Bueckers
This year’s Dallas Wings roster is guard-heavy, and Paige Bueckers is set to be the engine that makes the system go. The team’s depth includes promising rookies like Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, and Mai Yamamoto — all capable of contributing to the team’s fluid, fast-paced style of play.
While Coach Koclanes has plenty of options to work with, there’s little doubt that Bueckers, the top overall pick, will be the focal point of the offense. From her poise to her vision, it’s clear that the Wings are putting the ball — and their trust — in Paige Bueckers’ hands.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
