Star-in-waiting Paige Bueckers taken by Dallas with No 1 pick in WNBA draft

Paige Bueckers Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

New York, NY – Paige Bueckers, the celebrated UConn Huskies guard, achieved a significant milestone Monday night, becoming the latest in a lineage of University of Connecticut stars to be chosen first overall in the WNBA Draft. The Dallas Wings selected the 23-year-old before an audience of hundreds at The Shed in New York City, marking a pivotal moment in women’s basketball.

Bueckers Embarks on Professional Career After Stellar College Run

Bueckers’ selection culminates an exceptional final season with Connecticut and heralds the beginning of her highly anticipated professional career. Just days after steering the Huskies to their 12th national championship, she joins an elite group of former UConn players, including Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart, as No. 1 draft picks.

“A Fresh Start” – Bueckers Addresses the Draft

“You never want to take anything for granted,” Bueckers stated upon taking the stage. “This is a fresh start, and we are all eager to accomplish something noteworthy.”

Overcoming Adversity: Bueckers’ Journey to the WNBA

Bueckers’ path to the WNBA Draft was shaped by both early triumphs and considerable challenges. Recognized as the nation’s premier college player with the Naismith Trophy in her freshman year, she subsequently faced setbacks, including a significant knee injury in her sophomore year and missing the entire 2022-23 season due to an ACL tear. These injuries postponed, but ultimately did not impede her ascent. Returning for the 2024-25 season, she averaged 22.3 points per game, guiding UConn through an undefeated postseason.

Gratitude and Teamwork: Bueckers’ Draft Night Reflections

“An overwhelming sense of gratitude – it feels surreal to be here,” Bueckers expressed on Monday. “All of their dedication and effort helped me reach this stage. I didn’t get here alone; it truly took a village.”

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Rising Brand Presence Alongside Basketball Success

Bueckers’ brand visibility has expanded in tandem with her basketball accomplishments. She made history as the first college basketball player to have a Nike sneaker branded in her name and has secured a multi-year endorsement agreement with Gatorade.

“Resilience, Gratitude, Overcoming Adversity”

Describing her journey to the draft, Bueckers characterized it as “a narrative of resilience, of gratitude, of adversity, of surmounting adversity,” and proclaimed the moment as the realization of a lifelong aspiration dating back to age five.

Dallas Wings’ Expectations for No. 1 Pick

The Dallas Wings, who concluded last season with a 9-31 record, intend to build their team around Bueckers, recognizing her as a versatile playmaker celebrated for her efficiency and exceptional court vision.

Dominique Malonga Selected Second Overall by Seattle

Seattle chose French prodigy Dominique Malonga with the No. 2 pick. The 6-foot-6 center, instrumental in France’s silver medal win at the Paris Olympics, was among the youngest players eligible for the draft.

Malonga: Representing France and Multicultural Heritage

“This is incredible to me,” Malonga commented. “I am deeply honored to represent France, and not only France, but also Cameroon and Congo. I am a multicultural individual. I am committed to working diligently to integrate into this league, as I understand it will be demanding.”

Mystics, Valkyries and Draft Highlights

Washington Mystics’ Back-to-Back Picks

The Washington Mystics, in a rebuilding phase under new leadership, utilized consecutive picks to select Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron at No. 3 and Southern Cal’s Kiki Iriafen at No. 4.

Golden State Valkyries’ Historic First Pick

The expansion Golden State Valkyries followed, making history by selecting Lithuanian teenager Justė Jocytė with the fifth overall pick, their inaugural franchise selection.

Draft Roundup

The first round comprised a total of 12 selections. New York, Indiana, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Atlanta did not possess first-round picks due to prior trades. Las Vegas forfeited their pick as a consequence of sanctions related to a 2023 league investigation into improper benefits and workplace violations.

WNBA Momentum and Future Growth

The 2025 WNBA Draft transpired amidst ongoing positive momentum for the WNBA, fueled by increased attendance, viewership figures, and endorsement deals linked to college stars transitioning to the league. Bueckers’ arrival is seen as a harbinger of further expansion and excitement for women’s professional basketball.

Bueckers: A Star in the Making

Bueckers was identified as a future luminary well before her collegiate career. From middle school, she garnered national attention through viral highlights showcasing her exceptional court awareness, inventive passing, and extended shooting range in AAU tournaments. Recruiting platforms like ESPN HoopGurlz and Blue Star Media recognized her as a top prospect nationally by eighth grade, drawing comparisons to WNBA icons such as Bird and Taurasi.

High School Dominance and UConn Commitment

Upon entering Hopkins High School in Minnesota, Bueckers was already considered the top player in the class of 2020 – a distinction she maintained throughout her high school career before committing to the University of Connecticut.