News
“I'm extremely blessed�?�?Paige Bueckers shares heartfelt message after Dallas Wings select her No. 1 in WNBA Draft

“I'm extremely blessed�?�?Paige Bueckers shares heartfelt message after Dallas Wings select her No. 1 in WNBA Draft

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 15, 2025, 08:21 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Paige Bueckers, fresh off a national championship with UConn, was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Bueckers expressed excitement about joining the Wings and exploring Dallas. Despite a challenging college career marked by an ACL injury, she emerged stronger, leading UConn to victory.

“I'm extremely blessed�?�?Paige Bueckers shares heartfelt message after Dallas Wings select her No. 1 in WNBA Draft

Paige Bueckers. Image via: Palema Smith/ AP

Paige Bueckers is officially heading to Texas as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, taken by the Dallas Wings on April 14 in New York City. The former UConn Huskies standout wrapped up her college career with a national championship and now takes her talents to the pros with high hopes and an even higher level of gratitude.

Paige Bueckers shared her feelings after being picked as first overall by the Dallas Wings

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert called her name, and it was more than special for the 23-year-old. Bueckers broke into tears on live television while hugging her teammate Azzi Fudd, head coach Geno Auriemma, and her parents, Amy Fuller and Bob Bueckers. “It takes a village,�?she told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “An overwhelming sense of gratitude.�?br/>

"It's super surreal just being here with other draft invitees. I've been focusing on staying present, staying where my feet are and to be here right now, I'm extremely blessed," she added.
After bursting onto the national scene as a freshman by winning AP Player of the Year, Bueckers�?college path was far from smooth. A devastating ACL injury sidelined her for a full season, but she came back stronger, leading UConn to its 12th national title.

"It was a journey of resilience, of overcoming adversity," Bueckers reflected ahead of the draft. "I wouldn’t trade it for the world just because it became such a beautiful story�?of keeping the faith, of working extremely hard, and I really wouldn’t trade it."
Despite the draft’s high stakes, Bueckers kept her emotions grounded throughout the evening. “You don’t ever wanna assume anything in life,�?she said. “Nothing is guaranteed.�?
The Dallas Wings have only had two winning seasons in the last 15 years, but they now pin their hopes on Bueckers, alongside four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale. Training camp begins April 27, with the season opener set for May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx.

"I'm pretty excited to be there," Bueckers said of her new home. "I've only heard good things about the city. So excited to start that new chapter and explore that, give everything I have to the Wings organization."
Off the court, Bueckers is already signed with the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league and is set to earn more than her rookie WNBA salary. The NIL deal, combined with endorsements from Nike, Gatorade, and Verizon, positions her as one of the most marketable stars in the league today.
Further, she credits her teammates and family, saying, “They mean everything to me�?The love is unconditional. I wanna cherish that relationship for the rest of my life.�?She also noted how her younger siblings, who stay removed from the basketball limelight, bring her joy: “They just are my little siblings. They just bring me a whole bunch of joy.�?br/>Also Read: “I love it�?�?Hailey Van Lith breaks silence on boyfriend Jalen Suggs�?moment with her dad during March Madness
Bueckers�?basketball journey is getting started with fans expecting the best from the star in the Wings.

About the Author

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.

End of Article