NEW YORK — It’s rare for Paige Bueckers to feel rushed. But exceptions are made when dreams come true.
Bueckers didn’t have to wait long to hear her name called in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Ten minutes after the festivities officially began, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert voiced the most predictable, and anticipated, news of the evening: The Dallas Wings selected Bueckers as the No. 1 pick. Yet, Bueckers, a master at controlling pace on the floor, couldn’t slow the moment. Compared to what she imagined, she said the whole scene was “a lot faster than I thought.”
She rose from her table positioned in the center of the draft hall and shared her first hug as a professional basketball player with her former UConn teammate, Azzi Fudd. An embrace with her college coach, Geno Auriemma, came next. Then family. A sellout crowd of spectators, many of whom were wearing her jersey, rejoiced. A few of her other Huskies teammates cheered her on, and Bueckers became emotional discussing their impact on her.
It was clear that a franchise had been changed — quickly. Everything happens fast on draft night.
Nothing but gratitude from Paige Bueckers after hearing her name called No. 1 overall by the @DallasWings 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ISj4vR33OC
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 14, 2025
Bueckers has…
