Paige Bueckers Drafted No. 1 by Dallas Wings in 2025 WNBA Draft After NCAA Championship Run

NEW YORK (WE)— Monday night at the 2025 WNBA Draft, basketball fans witnessed a moment that felt both inevitable and historic. After an electrifying collegiate career and a long-awaited national championship, Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA Draft, officially launching what many believe will be a legendary professional career.

Bueckers, the UConn superstar and 2021 Naismith National Player of the Year, became the sixth UConn player to be chosen with the top pick in the draft — and the first to win an NCAA title and go No. 1 overall since Breanna Stewart did it in 2016. Her selection also marks a pivotal chapter for the Wings, who are looking to turn the page after a rough 9-31 season in 2024.

The Storybook Ending at UConn

Just eight days before draft night, Bueckers led the UConn Huskies to their first NCAA championship in nearly a decade, cementing her legacy in college basketball. It was a poetic final chapter to a college career filled with brilliance, setbacks, and, ultimately, triumph.

Bueckers finished her UConn career averaging 19.8 points per game, the highest scoring average in program history. She did it with surgical precision, shooting 53% from the field, 42% from beyond the arc, and 85% from the free throw line. Her remarkable efficiency, combined with elite court vision and leadership, made her the consensus No. 1 pick in nearly every mock draft.

“She’s the best player in the draft — full stop,” one WNBA scout told ESPN.

After overcoming an ACL tear that sidelined her for the entire 2022-23 season, Bueckers returned to lead UConn with her trademark poise and explosiveness. She looked better than ever in her final two seasons, proving to scouts that her game had evolved and matured.

A UConn Legacy of No. 1 Picks

Bueckers now joins an elite sorority of UConn legends taken No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft:

• Sue Bird (2002)
• Diana Taurasi (2004)
• Tina Charles (2010)
• Maya Moore (2011)
• Breanna Stewart (2016)

These players are not just top picks; they are MVPs, champions, and faces of the league. The pressure is high, but Bueckers — with her composure, charisma, and competitive edge — seems more than ready.

“I’ve looked up to all those women,” Bueckers said during her draft-night interview. “To now follow in their footsteps is surreal. But I’m ready to create my own path.”

Wings Betting on the Future

The Dallas Wings, a franchise that has seen more than its share of highs and lows since moving from Tulsa in 2016, finally landed the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history after winning the lottery last November.

After a dismal 2024 season — finishing 9-31 and missing the playoffs — the team underwent significant changes. Gone are veterans Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard. In their place: a new vision under coach Chris Koclanes and general manager Curt Miller.

They’ve been busy, adding fresh talent like:

• DiJonai Carrington
• Tyasha Harris
• NaLyssa Smith
• Myisha Hines-Allen

And now, of course, Paige Bueckers.

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Building Around Bueckers and Ogunbowale

The centerpiece of Dallas’ existing roster is four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, one of the WNBA’s most lethal scorers. The idea of pairing her with Bueckers has fans — and front office staff — buzzing.

“They’re going to be a nightmare backcourt,” said Miller. “Two high-IQ players, two shot creators, two leaders — this is a backcourt that can win big.”

Bueckers’ ability to operate on or off the ball will be key. While she played primarily as a point guard at UConn, she’s comfortable in combo-guard roles, making her an ideal partner for Ogunbowale, who thrives with the ball in her hands.

“Bueckers is not just an elite scorer,” said ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, “she’s also a willing and skilled passer. She makes her teammates better.”

A New Home in 2026

The excitement around Bueckers is coming at a pivotal time for the Wings. In 2026, the franchise will relocate from its current arena in Arlington to a new home in downtown Dallas, where it will have its own state-of-the-art practice facility and larger arena.

The timing is perfect. A generational talent. A revamped roster. A new coach. And a new arena. The Wings are betting that Bueckers can be the face of this new era.

“We didn’t just draft a player,” said Wings CEO Greg Bibb. “We drafted the future of our franchise.”

Endorsements Already Rolling In

Hours before she heard her name called, reports surfaced that Bueckers had signed a three-year deal with Unrivaled, a new athlete-driven women’s sports media platform co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

According to Kendra Andrews, the deal is expected to include both on-court and off-court content, making Bueckers one of the youngest stars to join the platform.

She’s also expected to sign with major brands in the coming weeks, with sources hinting at potential partnerships with Nike, Gatorade, and even Apple.

“Paige isn’t just a basketball player,” said Collier. “She’s a movement.”

A Full 2025 WNBA Draft Recap

While Bueckers was the headliner, the 2025 WNBA Draft featured plenty of star power. Other notable selections included:

• No. 2: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever — The Iowa legend is finally headed to the pros after a historic NCAA career.
• No. 3: Angel Reese, Chicago Sky — The LSU standout and fan favorite brings swagger and rebounding to the Windy City.
• No. 4: Hailey Van Lith, Washington Mystics — Another UConn rival, Van Lith made waves with her outfit and her competitive fire.
• No. 5: Cameron Brink, Seattle Storm — The Stanford center provides shot-blocking and floor-spacing potential.

What’s Next for Paige Bueckers?

Now, all eyes turn to training camp, where Bueckers will officially join the Wings and begin the transition from NCAA royalty to WNBA rookie. The team has already hinted that she’ll be given a starting role from Day One.

Preseason action begins in early May, and the Wings are set to debut at home on May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces — a must-watch showdown between the new-look Wings and the reigning champs.

As for Bueckers? She’s focused and ready.

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a little girl,” she said on stage. “Now it’s time to get to work.”

Final Word

The 2025 WNBA season is already shaping up to be one for the books — and Paige Bueckers is at the heart of it. With sky-high expectations, a rejuvenated Dallas franchise behind her, and a growing media spotlight, Bueckers is primed to be not just a star, but the star of the next WNBA generation.

If her college career is any indication, she’ll handle it all with grace, grit, and buckets.