By Mallory Mattingly
UCONN women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers was drafted No. 1 in the 2025 WNBA to the Dallas Wings, an “overwhelming” moment for the athlete that’s been a long time coming.
In 2019, during her senior year of high school, Bueckers said in a video that for her senior year of college she expects herself to win a National Championship and to be selected No. 1 for the WNBA.
That’s exactly what happened this year.
“Extremely grateful for the whole journey since that moment when that video was made,” Bueckers told ESPN after hearing her name called. “The entire five years since then — the ups and downs, the everything, the relationships, the experiences, the bonds that I built — it’s just been amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. So, to be where my feet are tonight, to share this moment with the people that I love, just means everything.”
Bueckers has been ready for the WNBA for a long time now and is looking forward to being able to compete at the highest level of women’s basketball.
“Just competing at an extremely high level. You always dream of getting to the WNBA — the highest stage of basketball,” the National Champion explained. “Playing against my former teammates, Na, and Aaliyah, who are here today — can’t wait. And Liv, and then everybody, honestly — so excited.”
Ultimately, Bueckers knows what she brings to the court and is ready to get after it with her new team.
“Just a selfless leader,” she said. “A person who just wants to win and will do whatever it takes to win. And somebody who plays with so much heart and passion and so much love for the game, and loves sharing that with others. and just trying to win.”
However, Bueckers will miss her time at UCONN and all those who impacted her along the way.
It’s been “Extremely fun, bittersweet,” she admitted. “Sometimes I just start crying because it’s over, but just super happy that it even happened — and the whole journey, the relationships, experiences as I’ve talked about. But it’s been a whirlwind — a lot of late nights, early mornings, a lot of traveling back and forth from New York to Storrs. But man, extremely grateful and running on great fumes.”
After her WNBA selection, Bueckers took to Instagram to celebrate all that she accomplished and credited God for the opportunity.
Related: Paige Bueckers Kept ‘The Faith’ and Won a National Championship: ‘For God’s Purpose’
“Through God’s power, for God’s purposes Let’s get it, Dallas!!” Bueckers wrote in the caption.
According to Fox News Digital, while at UCONN Bueckers “averaged 19.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds and shot 53.1% from the field over 123 career games.”
Bueckers is eager and ready to make an impact for Christ as part of the Wings just like she did for UCONN.
Read Next: Paige Bueckers Praises God as She Leads UConn to Final Four: ‘Living Testimony’
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