Paige Bueckers, leading WNBA choice, light beams with exhilaration as she signs up with the Dallas Wings and talks 1-on-1 with WFAA’s Jonah Javad.
DALLAS– Paige 1. Phase 1.
Fresh off a fabled university occupation, Paige Bueckers enters a specialist limelight that’s been moiraied for her given that intermediate school.
The WNBA’s No. 1 total choice, in addition to the remainder of the Dallas Wings’ 2025 Draft Course, took spotlight at Dallas Municipal government for their initial interview.
WFAA’s Jonah Javad spoke to Bueckers individually, after the event in the not likely location.
” I do not believe so,” Buckers grinned when asked if she had actually ever before done an interview in a town hall structure prior to.
The Wings will certainly play their home video games in the City of Dallas beginning in 2026, so there was a factor behind the area selection.
” I’m exceptionally satisfied,” Bueckers stated regarding her impressions of Dallas and the Wings company. “Simply really feel the love and welcome of a brand-new beginning, a clean slate,” she stated. “The assistance from the first day has actually suggested a whole lot to this draft course, to the company. There’s a great deal of ‘brand-new’ right here: brand-new GM, brand-new instructors, an entire brand-new group. I’m delighted to develop the structure and simply reach function.”
With Dallas basketball followers still reeling from the Mavericks’ profession of super star Luka Dončić, Bueckers wishes to bring something fresh to the city’s sporting activities scene.
” Undoubtedly something brand-new,” Bueckers began. “Simply playing an amazing degree of basketball. Female’s sporting activities and ladies’s basketball get on the increase. We intend to bring that energy from the university period right into the WNBA and stand for Dallas happily.”
Bueckers has actually stagnated in yet, however she remains in the ideal city, considering her preferred NBA gamer– Kyrie Irving– downplays the roadway for the Dallas Mavericks. Remarkably, both basketball super stars have actually never ever satisfied personally.
” We remain in the very same city currently, so it must be less complicated,” Bueckers smiled. “I like him.”
During Bueckers and UConn’s go to the 2025 Championship game, an image of her from 2013 resurfaced and went viral.
Bueckers remained in 6th quality at the time, and the subtitle on the tweet (from the digital photographer that took the picture) forecasted Buckers’ future achievement, also contrasting her to WNBA tale Diana Taurasi.
What would certainly 23-year-old Bueckers inform her sixth-grade self?
” You made it to where you intended to go. Yet this is simply the beginning of something brand-new,” she stated. “With effort, commitment, confidence, and the ideal individuals around you– you obtained right here.”
Before an All-American university occupation at Connecticut, Bueckers starred on the wood in her home state of Minnesota.
” I had [WNBA] desires, without a doubt,” Bueckers remembered. “I matured enjoying Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles, Simone Augustus– that entire staff. I intended to load those footwear, however I had no concept exactly how to arrive. It was almost remaining in the health club, remaining determined, and doing what I like everyday.”
Looking back on her trip, what recommendations would certainly Bueckers provide to girls and girls that desire resemble her?
” Have a good time. There are numerous points that can take your delight and enthusiasm away, however bear in mind why you began,” Bueckers insisted. “Remain existing, remain based, remain modest, and simply maintain functioning.”
Bueckers and the Dallas Wings open their 2025 WNBA period in your home on May 16 versus the Minnesota Lynx– Bueckers’ home town group.
Basketball followers in the Dallas-Fort Well worth location can see over half of the Dallas Wings’ 2025 ready complimentary on KFAA! Below’s how to listen.
