New Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers has been thrown into the spotlight, which means that the Wings are one of the WNBA’s top teams to keep an eye on ahead of the 2025 WNBA season. Bueckers, 23, has already held her introductory press conference in Dallas, which drew laughter from the media. A reporter told Bueckers that she’s “probably the hottest thing in Dallas right now.” Bueckers responded, “I would say the weather’s probably hotter than me.” Bueckers’ humorous response was the start of many responses.
Paige Bueckers Gets Honest
Believe it or not, Paige Bueckers was selected by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 pick out of the University of Connecticut — and was already compared to the 2024 No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark, during her college basketball career at UConn. Bueckers and Clark, now 23, were the No. 1 and No. 4 recruits, respectively, in the 2020 NCAA recruiting class. Both players shared the college spotlight before Clark left for the WNBA.
Some would blame Bueckers for feeling one-upped by Clark for most of her college basketball career. However, Bueckers recently admitted in an interview with TIME that she no longer feels like she’s living in Clark’s shadow as she transitions to the WNBA.
Bueckers said, “That’s what the media cares about … That’s what everybody who watches basketball cares about. I used to be bothered by it. But I’ve done so much work on myself and my approach.” Bueckers added, “The ability to not run a race in comparison, to run my own race and worry about that. Caitlin’s a phenomenal player. We’re also completely different players.”
Paige Bueckers’ Outlook
Paige Bueckers might no longer feel the pressure of trying to match Caitlin Clark stride-for-stride, but that doesn’t mean that the media and fans will stop comparing the two players. Clark broke WNBA, Indiana Fever, and rookie franchise records, along with ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales records during her rookie season in Indianapolis. Bueckers might make a similar impact in Dallas, but her production and success will likely be judged.
Despite the tough challenge, Bueckers appears to be ready to embrace the immediate future. Bueckers said, “Pitting the two most recent No. 1 draft picks against each other is good for the game … At the end of the day, I don’t think either of us really cares about it, because we’re just trying to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Final Thoughts
The Dallas Wings reportedly believe that Paige Bueckers will help them win their first WNBA title since moving to Dallas in 2016. The Wings were previously the Tulsa Shock in Tulsa from 2010 to 2015 and the Detroit Shock in Detroit from 1998 to 2009. The WNBA was founded on April 24, 1996.
Bueckers said she’s ready to eat Tex-Mex. Bueckers’ star-studded presence has been revitalizing and re-energizing the Wings. A generational talent, Bueckers’ presence can help the Wings in the short and long run, as Bueckers could become a 50/40/90 in the WNBA. It’s unclear if the Wings will win a WNBA title, but perhaps the WNBA playoffs, which would make the Wings an exciting WNBA team for the first time in years.
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