Big Paige Bueckers announcement made on Tuesday: Dallas Wings secure four-year deal

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 23, 2025, 12:00 IST

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Paige Bueckers has officially embarked on her WNBA career, signing a four-year rookie contract with the Dallas Wings after being the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. In an emotional farewell, she thanked “UConn Nation” for five “rewarding, challenging and blessed years.” Bueckers, a decorated UConn player, is expected to revitalize the Wings, who are coming off a challenging season. She aims to form a dynamic partnership with Arike Ogunbowale and elevate the team's performance.

Big Paige Bueckers announcement made on Tuesday: Dallas Wings secure four-year deal

A New Era Begins in Dallas

Paige Bueckers has officially started her WNBA journey. On Tuesday, she signed a four-year rookie-scale contract with the Dallas Wings, just days after being selected first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Her deal, confirmed by the WNBA transactions page and reporter Rob Tiongson, will see her earn $348,198 over four seasons, beginning with $78,831 in 2025.
The Wings, coming off a tough 9-31 season in 2024, are looking to reset, and Bueckers is already positioned as the centerpiece of that effort. Dallas will open the new season at home against the Minnesota Lynx on May 16, giving fans their first look at their highly anticipated new star.

From Storrs to the Pros

Bueckers leaves UConn as one of the most decorated players in the program’s storied history. In four seasons, she scored 2,439 points, third all-time at UConn, and recorded the highest career scoring average in school history at 19.9 points per game. She was also a three-time All-Big East first-team selection and led the Huskies to their 12th national title in 2025.
On Instagram, Bueckers shared an emotional farewell to the UConn community:
"These past 5 years have been some of the most rewarding, challenging and blessed years of my life... Storrs, Connecticut will always be my second home and I wouldn’t trade it for the world... I’m forever indebted and all I can say is THANK YOU."

High Hopes in Dallas

The pressure is on, but Bueckers has never shied away from the spotlight. Known for her calm under pressure and ability to perform in big moments, she’s expected to pair with star guard Arike Ogunbowale to form a dynamic backcourt duo. Despite their struggles last season, particularly on defense where they gave up a league-worst 92.1 points per game, the Wings ranked fourth in scoring and are now eyeing a fresh start with a young, talent-rich roster.
Training camp begins April 27, giving Bueckers just a few weeks to settle in before her professional debut. She’s already thinking ahead, naming four current WNBA stars she’s watching closely as she prepares to make her mark.
Also Read: How Much Will Tickets Cost for the 2025 Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark Game?

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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