Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings believes in the team’s long-term prospects in the midst of a solid rookie season. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
ARLINGTON, Texas — Paige Bueckers has quickly emerged as one of the WNBA’s most compelling young talents, combining a remarkable skill set on the court with leadership and poise that belies her rookie status. With four games remaining in the Dallas Wings’ season, the No. 1 overall pick is making a strong case to be this year’s Rookie of the Year.
Drafted first overall in April 2025, Bueckers entered the league with sky-high expectations after a decorated collegiate career at UConn. Averaging 18.9 points, 5.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, she has already proven herself as both a scorer and a playmaker, showing a maturity rare for a first-year player.
Despite the Wings’ struggles — including injuries and tough losses — Bueckers has remained consistent in her approach, inspiring teammates with her performance and her perspective. After the Wings’ most recent game, she reflected on her mindset in the locker room.
“Yeah. I mean, just to stick with it like whoever we have in that locker room, whoever puts on a Wings jersey that night, that’s where we’re going to war with and that’s who we believe in. And we don’t need exterior belief,” Bueckers said following Dallas’ game against the Atlanta Dream on Aug. 29. “Like, in that locker room, we feel like we have enough, and we’re always going to fight and show up that way.”
Her perspective draws on lessons learned from stars who endured challenges before achieving greatness.
Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings scored a double-double in a 100-78 loss to the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)
“I remember Steph Curry before the [Golden State] Warriors became the Warriors. Like he tweeted out like, ‘just stick with us, we’re going to figure it out.’ Like that’s the message,” Bueckers said. “The people we have here and the belief that I have in the core and the pieces that we’re building… I just have this undying belief in it. I know the results haven’t shown yet, but like, the same people who were in the gym on the nine and whatever season are the same people who I want to be at the Championship celebration parade. So that’s like the message.”
Dallas head coach Chris Koclanes said Bueckers’ ability to lead with both words and actions has set her apart.
“Everything, right? I don’t need to repeat it. Let’s have everyone watch what Paige just spoke to,” Koclanes said. “And when your leader is speaking that, and not just — that’s not just lip service, right? That’s belief. That’s genuine. That’s authentic. She pours into her teammates and really believes in everyone in that locker room. So there’s just so much upside.”
Koclanes noted that leadership is often tested in hard seasons. “It’s really easy when things are this hard to just crumble and get down,” he said. “To be able to have the maturity to hold perspective, not feel sorry for ourselves, and still maintain a standard with expectations and accountability — that yes, we’re going to be better and we have to be better. And there’s patience there too, knowing that we will be better and we can be better, and we believe in one another.”
That blend of perspective and production is why Bueckers is a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
Leadership through Authenticity
Paige Bueckers makes lasting memories for young Dallas Wings fans prior to the team’s matchup against the Indiana Fever at American Airlines Center on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
Young fans look up to the 23-year-old from Hopkins, Minnesota, not only for her on-court brilliance but also for her authenticity. Before a recent game against the Connecticut Sun, she described how she approaches staying true to herself.
“I try to be authentic to myself, and that’s something that’s always been important to me,” Bueckers said. “I don’t want to be someone who changes based on circumstances or anything else. I stay true to who I am, true to my love and my joy, and let those things shine through.”
That authenticity resonates with her teammates and with fans.
Speaking with Rey Moralde of The Sporting Tribune before a high-scoring game against the Los Angeles Sparks in which she dropped 44 points, Bueckers reflected on her growth as a leader.
“I think instilling confidence in my teammates has always been something that I’ve been confident in,” she said. “Just being able to get the best out of everybody around me, balancing that with being able to challenge and praise, like finding the perfect medium of that, of wanting to hold your teammates accountable, hold yourself accountable while also praising them.”
She added that leadership on the Wings is shared: “It’s a group effort. I wouldn’t say one person is the leader of the team. I feel like we all lead. And so it’s just been voices in different places. It’s really been collaborative.”
Building Her Rookie of the Year Case
Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings takes it to the house against the Seattle Storm. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
On the court, Bueckers has been consistently impactful. She is shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 88.1 percent from the free-throw line, while averaging 1.2 three-pointers per game at a 33.3 percent clip. Her stat line also includes 1.6 steals per game, underscoring her defensive awareness.
Her ability to produce in both wins and losses has strengthened her case. In victories, she averages 18.4 points on 50 percent shooting with 5.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds. In defeats, she maintains high efficiency, scoring 19.1 points per game with 45.6 percent shooting and 37.3 percent from three.
Perhaps most telling are her month-to-month improvements. In May, she averaged 14.7 points per game, before raising her production to 21.6 in June. She stayed steady in July at 18.2 and elevated again in August to 20.3. Pre- and post-All-Star splits also show growth, jumping from 18.4 points to 19.6. For a rookie navigating a demanding season, that steady upward trajectory is a hallmark of award contenders.
Her play has caught the attention of veterans across the league. Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Vanloo, who faced Dallas on Aug. 15, said she came away impressed.
“She’s a great player. I actually it was the first time I played against her because of EuroBasket. I didn’t get the chance to play against her… I didn’t guard her that game on Aug. 15, but I did watch her from the sideline, and I was very impressed about how she plays,” Vanloo said. “I already knew she was good, but just the way she moves, the way she carries herself, I like she’s very confident, but not cocky. And I really like that about her. She’s where her feet is, and she has her bag and her package is very wide. And I think she’s going to be one of the greatest.”
That outside recognition underscores the impact Bueckers has made in her rookie campaign. For opponents and teammates alike, she has already established herself as a player who plays with confidence, composure and a full arsenal of skills.
Beyond the Numbers
Paige Bueckers has turned to a trusted, championship-winning player in Myisha Hines-Allen to be one of the leaders of the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
While her statistics speak loudly, what separates Bueckers is how she carries herself. Coaches and teammates say her focus and maturity have steadied Dallas in a tough year. Her ability to balance accountability with encouragement, while also embracing her authentic self, is rare for a first-year player.
“We don’t need exterior belief,” Bueckers said. “The people we have here and the belief that I have in the core and the pieces we’re building… the results will come.”
For the Wings, that conviction is as valuable as her points or assists. It reflects a foundation for long-term growth, and it illustrates why Bueckers’ rookie year has become a benchmark — not just for her career, but for the culture Dallas is trying to build.
In a league that values both production and character, Bueckers has already proven she can excel at both. Her statistical contributions, combined with her unshakable belief in her teammates and commitment to authentic leadership, make her a strong Rookie of the Year candidate and a rising star who could define the next era of the WNBA.
As she continues to grow, Bueckers has shown that leadership is as much about action and authenticity as it is about statistics. For Dallas, she offers a rare combination of talent, poise and inspiration in a season that has demanded resilience. And for the league, she is proof that even in a rookie season, belief can be just as powerful as brilliance.
Editor’s Notes
Rey Moralde of The Sporting Tribune contributed to this feature story from the Los Angeles Sparks’ practice facility in Torrance, California, and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
