Paige Bueckers was a catalyst off the bench in her Team USA senior national squad debut against Senegal. (Photo: USA Basketball)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Paige Bueckers made a memorable first impression on the senior national stage on Wednesday, scoring nine points and adding four rebounds in just over 14 minutes of action. Her clinical efficiency helped Team USA dismantle Senegal, 110-46, to open the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament. For the Dallas Wings standout, the debut was more than a personal milestone; it was a masterclass in balancing her “Young and Turnt” energy with the veteran wisdom of icons like Managing Director Sue Bird and Chelsea Gray.
Bueckers, who rose to prominence after a standout rookie season in the WNBA and her time as the captain of Breeze BC with Unrivaled, described the experience as a perfect blend of soaking in veteran leadership while stepping into a new role as a contributor.
“Having played FIBA before, it’s a different brand of basketball—very physical, very competitive. People are representing their country, so they’re playing with a lot of passion and joy and fire. So it’s a high level of competition,” she said. “You lean on the older guys, ask some questions, be a sponge, but also soak up this experience for myself because I want to learn and grow for the next experience.”
Wednesday’s game was dominated by the United States from the opening tip. Bueckers played tough, gritty basketball, hitting three of seven field goals, including one from deep, and both free throws, contributing to the team’s 58.7 percent overall shooting efficiency. She also recorded four rebounds, three assists and a steal, demonstrating her ability to impact multiple facets of the game while playing just over 14 minutes.
Her composure on both ends of the floor reflected the poise she developed from Hopkins High School, UConn to her rookie WNBA campaign and her time with Unrivaled.
For Bueckers, representing the United States, led by head coach Kara Lawson, was about honoring the journey that brought her to this stage.
Paige Bueckers (No. 4) and Caitlin Clark (No. 12) were in sync for Team USA, showcasing synergy against Senegal. (Photo: USA Basketball)
“Each stop in my journey has meant so much to me. It’s been a huge part of who I am and what I’ve become. Every time I step out on the court, I feel like I’m always representing something so much bigger than myself,” she said. “To put USA across your chest—it’s truly an honor.”
Her teammates, including stars like Rhyne Howard and Caitlin Clark, provided genuine firepower. Howard scored 21 points on 66.7 percent shooting, while Clark added 17 points with perfect shooting from the free-throw line. Dearica Hamby and Kahleah Copper combined for 18 points, emphasizing the depth of talent on the roster. Angel Reese recorded a team-high eight rebounds, highlighting the physical presence in the paint that the U.S. staff values.
Bueckers also reflected on the significance of joining a group that balances youthful energy with experienced guidance.
“You try to stay humble and grounded while also using that as motivation to continue to want to get better, to continue to just build off of what the people who did before us built,” she said.
Citing legends like Bird and Diana Taurasi, Bueckers underscored the importance of translating the program’s historic excellence into action on the court.
“Those are just words. We want to put action behind it and really follow through with that.”
Her experience with Unrivaled has clearly influenced her approach to leadership and growth.
Paige Bueckers embraces being a catalyst for Team USA’s senior national unit. (Photo: USA Basketball)
“We grew together, we won together, we lost together, and we learned so much,” she explained. “I was kind of thrown into the fire of finding my voice very quickly, becoming a leader, a better leader, very quickly and learning how to lead a group of women who are professionals.”
She praised the coaching staff at Unrivaled for providing the platform to refine her leadership skills, an experience that translates directly to her role on Team USA.
Namely, Wednesday’s box score shows Bueckers’ versatility.
In addition to her nine points and four rebounds, she added three assists and a steal in 14:02 of play, joining other young stars like Howard, Clark, and Jackie Young to create a dynamic, balanced attack. Bueckers also efficiently distributed the ball, contributing to Team USA’s 30 assists on 37 field goals, demonstrating both awareness and court vision.
The physicality and pace of the game were challenges Bueckers anticipated but embraced. She described being ready to adapt to different positions and responsibilities, saying, “Whatever the team needs me to do…I’ll probably won’t play the five, but I’ll play if they ask me to. I will.”
Her commitment reflects the mentality that has propelled her since her collegiate days at UConn, where she developed a reputation for both skill and basketball IQ.
Paige Bueckers wants to learn and grow with the Team USA veterans and coaching staff to be at her best. (Photo: USA Basketball)
Veteran presence on the floor was equally important to Bueckers’ integration into the team. She highlighted her admiration for Gray and the opportunity to learn directly from players she previously competed against in the WNBA.
“She’s always a player that I looked up to, and I can’t wait to be her teammate,” Bueckers said. “I haven’t enjoyed playing against her this past year. So I’m really excited about that, to be able to learn from her and just really be around her in this sort of setting as teammates.”
Mentorship from Bird has also shaped Bueckers’ early Team USA experience.
“Even after last camp, I thought I was the loudest one in the gym. And she comes up to me after, and she was like, ‘Yo, you’re quiet.’ And I’m like, I felt like I was yelling the whole time,” Bueckers recalled. “To be able to have that relationship where she can come and hold me accountable, and tell me about myself, and I can really just take it and learn and grow from it and find my way of leading…that’s been really nice.”
Looking ahead, Bueckers emphasized her willingness to contribute in any capacity. Her approach mirrors her mentality with the Dallas Wings, where adapting to team needs and building chemistry with both veterans and peers is key.
“It’s just an honor to be on this team,” she said. “Truly, it doesn’t matter.”
Team USA’s dominance in the first outing is reflected in the 110–46 final score. The roster’s combined depth, from sharpshooters to interior presence, set a tone for the Olympic cycle ahead. Bueckers’ performance, though limited in minutes, signaled her readiness to step into a meaningful role as the younger generation of stars carries forward Team USA’s legacy.
For the Dallas Wings guard, the debut was a reminder of the journey from youth sensation to professional standout to international competitor. Her ability to balance leadership, learning, and execution on the floor shows a maturation that bodes well for the United States’ goals in upcoming competitions and for her continued growth with the Wings.
