Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings won the 2025 AP and WNBA Rookie of the Year with her dynamic, versatile game and leadership. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)
ARLINGTON, Texas — Some rookies take months, even years, to adjust to the pace and physicality of the WNBA. Paige Bueckers needed only a few possessions to signal she was ready.
From the moment she stepped onto the floor with the Dallas Wings, the No. 1 overall pick demonstrated not just skill but a maturity that belied her age. She confirmed why she was drafted as the face of a franchise and why, in many ways, she had been a professional long before officially becoming one.
Her rookie season quickly became a case study in poise, leadership, and consistency, even amid the turbulence of a rebuilding team. Observers across the league, from broadcasters to veteran players, pointed to the same attributes. Bueckers did not merely arrive. She elevated everyone around her.
Commanding the Court from the First Game
Brendan Glasheen, who called her games against the Connecticut Sun in May and June, immediately noticed Bueckers’ ability to dictate tempo and organize her team on the fly.
“Her shot creation for herself and her teammates stood out to me right from the start,” Glasheen said. “Paige showed excellent command and poise to run a team, like legitimately organizing everyone on the floor and putting teammates in positions to succeed. She picked her spots to ‘take over’ in terms of her scoring. Simply put, her feel for a game and knowing what her team needs on any given night is very impressive.”
It was not just her scoring or assist numbers. It was the rhythm, the timing, and the intelligence with which she approached every possession. Even against complex defensive schemes, Bueckers rarely forced plays. She understood when to accelerate, when to slow the game, and when to trust her teammates.
As Rey Moralde of The Sporting Tribune noted, “It’s her poise. She never seemed rushed or panicked. She’s always trying to be two or three moves ahead of everybody. Paige would do well in a game of poker.”
Her basketball IQ translated into immediate trust from both teammates and coaches. In a league where the speed and physicality can overwhelm even seasoned players, Bueckers’ awareness set her apart.
Moralde also pointed out that in certain games, such as the Aug. 20 matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, she carried her team virtually singlehandedly, identifying what the defense offered and adjusting her approach without hesitation. It was a trait reminiscent of the game’s greats.
The UConn Effect
Paige Bueckers showcased more than her midrange game in her rookie season in the WNBA with the
Dallas Wings. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)
Bueckers’ readiness was not accidental. Meghan L. Hall, covering the WNBA for USA TODAY’s For The Win, emphasized that her foundation at UConn was critical to her transition.
“Paige has been a pro since before she ever stepped onto a WNBA court,” Hall said. “Her UConn upbringing practically ensured that she would understand what it meant to play and prep at the highest levels. She knows the expectations for immediate impact and long-term success, and she has so many UConn alumni who likely taught her the ropes.”
From film study to conditioning, from media preparation to defensive rotations, Bueckers arrived fluent in the professional demands of the game. Hall also noted her fearlessness and efficiency, highlighting that she “rarely sped up, nor did she panic,” even in pressure situations.
Melissa Triebwasser from Winsidr added that Bueckers consistently maintained positive body language on and off the court. “She had the ability to keep her head in the right place even when the team was struggling,” Triebwasser said. “Paige was constantly looking to deflect praise to her teammates and to reaffirm that she was in it for the long haul.”
This foundation allowed Bueckers to step into a Wings team that struggled for wins but never for effort. She became a stabilizing presence on the floor, offering a rare combination of skill, awareness, and leadership that immediately resonated with both rookies and veterans.
A Rookie Without Rattles
Sports reporter ShaVonne Herndon highlighted Bueckers’ composure as a defining trait.
“She never once seemed rattled despite her team’s record,” Herndon said. “For a rookie to have that much composure during a tough season is truly impressive. Even when opponents threw complex schemes at her, she adjusted quickly and never forced the game. That kind of maturity and steadiness is rare in a first-year player, and it speaks volumes about her preparation and mindset.”
Herndon also praised Bueckers’ humility and respect for the game, noting that her demeanor earned credibility with both rookies and veterans.
“Paige didn’t need to be loud to be heard. Her actions, her poise, and her ability to elevate others made her stand out in a league full of talent.”
Moralde echoed this sentiment, citing Bueckers’ collaborative approach to leadership. She described leadership as a group effort, emphasizing that every player’s voice contributed to the team dynamic.
Veteran praise reinforced this idea. As Triebwasser observed, players such as A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu publicly recognized the maturity and professionalism Bueckers displayed from the first game to the last.
Likewise, Moralde, who covers the Los Angeles Sparks for The Sporting Tribune, noted how Julie Vanloo, reflected on Bueckers’ Aug. 20 standout performance, remarking how her game was “spectacular,” showcasing why she is poised for a career among the league’s elite.
On-Court Versatility
While leadership was a constant, Bueckers’ offensive and defensive versatility made her indispensable. Glasheen highlighted her mid-range game, noting its reliability and effectiveness. Her ability to read the defense, pace her scoring, and balance aggression with facilitation made her more than just a shooter. She was a conductor of the game.
Her physical skillset was complemented by technique honed since middle school.
“Playing against defenders in this league, they’re the best defenders in the world,” Bueckers said. “You have to be able to get your shot off in tight spaces, create space to get your jump shot off. That footwork is something I’ve been working on since I was little and is underrated but fundamental.”
Her defensive awareness was equally impressive. Moralde noted her on-ball anticipation and ability to neutralize opposing guards, a skill sharpened at UConn and immediately evident in the WNBA. She combined strength, size, and intelligence to guard multiple positions effectively.
Building Confidence and Trust
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers dribbles the ball across the court looking for an open teammate during the first quarter of a regular season game at the College Park Center on July 30, 2025. (Photo: Miles Meador | The Podium Finish)
As the season progressed, Bueckers’ self-assurance only grew.
“Just being able to get a couple games under your belt, navigating the first games, and realizing what your team is going to need from you… you gain confidence,” Bueckers said.
She credited her teammates and coaching staff for their support.
“Honestly, I’m most proud of truly everything, the way we handled adversity, the way we stuck together as a team. You can’t teach resilience or fight. That’s in you. We all embodied that as a team and coaching staff.”
Winsidr’s Triebwasser observed that Bueckers commanded respect from rookies and veterans alike, a rare feat for a first-year player. Her ability to inspire and maintain positivity, even amid losses, made her a stabilizing figure in Dallas and earned her the admiration of the league’s top players.
The Rookie of the Year Case
Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings showcased her savvy and high basketball IO in her Rookie of the Year winning season. (Photo: Christopher Vargas | The Podium Finish)
By season’s end, it was clear Bueckers was not simply the best rookie. She was one of the league’s most reliable guards. Her efficiency became a calling card, with advanced metrics and the eye test lining up. Her mid-range shooting, growing three-point range, and ability to attack the rim gave the Wings multiple options on offense.
Glasheen said, “She’s not just out there trying to ‘get hers.’ There’s a melody to her pacing that is fun to witness. That’s north of 50% shooting in two games at Mohegan. This is not rookie luck. That’s basketball IQ.”
Herndon summed up the intangible aspects of Bueckers’ impact.
“That kind of attitude doesn’t just earn respect. It builds trust, strengthens locker room chemistry, and sets the tone for long-term leadership.”
Triebwasser added, “Despite having what is most likely the ‘worst’ team season of her entire basketball career when it came to winning, Paige continually had her teammates back, had the coaching staff’s back, and never wavered in her support and buy-in to what the Wings were doing.
“Her body language on the court and in press conferences was almost unfailingly positive and the she was constantly looking to deflect praise to her teammates and to reaffirm that she was in it for the long haul. On the court, her incredibly high basketball IQ was demonstrated time and time again as she adapted to the physicality of the W and learned when to take over and when to set others up.”
Looking Forward
As rookies go, Bueckers offers a model of how preparation, intelligence, and humility combine to elevate both personal performance and team culture. Across multiple sources, from Glasheen to Triebwasser to Moralde, the consensus is the same. Bueckers came into the WNBA not just ready to play but ready to lead, inspire, and adapt.
The story of her rookie season is not merely one of statistics or highlight reels. It is a story of professionalism, preparation, and poise. Bueckers was, in every sense, a professional before she even wore a WNBA jersey, setting a standard for the league’s future stars and proving that the most impactful players are those who lift everyone around them.
