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'I Didn’t Want to Embarrass Myself': Paige Bueckers Throws Successful First Pitch at Texas Rangers Game

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Grant Afseth | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 1:47 AM ET

Less than 24 hours after delivering her latest standout performance in a Dallas Wings uniform, Paige Bueckers took the mound at Globe Life Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday night’s game between the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

Backed by her Wings teammates, Bueckers fired a respectable toss to Rangers first base coach Corey Ragsdale, landing it just shy of the plate but safely within reach.

“I didn’t put too much effort into it,” Bueckers said. “I was trying to be a little nonchalant. I didn’t hit the dirt, so that was the goal. I just didn’t really want to embarrass myself. I was trying to make up for yesterday’s smoked layup, so I just wanted to do a little bit better than I did yesterday.”

From the Court to the Mound

The appearance came on the heels of an 80–71 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday night at College Park Center, snapping a seven-game losing streak for the Wings and halting Golden State’s three-game win streak. Bueckers led Dallas with 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting, while also notching a career-high four steals. She scored eight points in the opening quarter and nine more in the decisive fourth, helping to seal the team’s second win of the season.

The rookie guard added: “It’s just an honor for them to ask me to do it—and to have the whole team here as well, that meant a lot. I just want to find myself winning the city and supporting every single team.”

Bueckers has been a rare bright spot for a rebuilding Wings team now sitting at 2-11. Through nine games, she’s averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 steals while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc. She’s quickly building a Rookie of the Year case, showing the polish and poise that made her the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Baseball Roots, Texas Beginnings

Though basketball is her current profession, Bueckers said baseball was her first love growing up in Minnesota.

“I played all over—shortstop, pitcher, catcher, even a little bit in the outfield,” she said. “My favorite was probably pitcher or shortstop. Got a lot of action at shortstop.”

A Minnetonka native who starred at Hopkins High School before becoming a UConn legend, Bueckers said she never imagined herself building a life in Texas.

“The last thing I ever thought in my life is that I would live in Texas,” she said. “But it’s been great. I’m just excited to be in the Dallas community and support Dallas sports.”

She’s already checked off a Dallas Stars game from her list and plans to attend the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Draft Watch Party on June 25 at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks hold the No. 1 pick and are widely expected to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg.

“That’ll be really cool,” Bueckers said. “Obviously highly anticipated with it being Cooper. It’s just an exciting time in Dallas for all the franchises and all the organizations.”

Dallas Wings Pick Up Momentum Ahead of Road Trip

Tuesday’s win over Golden State offered a glimpse of what this young Wings roster might be capable of with Bueckers leading the charge. She and Arike Ogunbowale, who added 19 points and a game-high six assists, combined to score nine of the team’s final 10 points in the fourth quarter. Dallas held Golden State without a field goal for the final 4:56 and forced five turnovers during that stretch.

The Wings’ defense held the Valkyries to just 16 first-quarter points—a season-best defensive start—and dominated the rebounding battle, 39–28, behind NaLyssa Smith’s 10 boards. Kaila Charles added 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in her first home appearance of the season.

Now 2-11, Dallas heads on the road for two games, beginning Friday night against the Connecticut Sun. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.

Whether it’s on the floor or the pitcher’s mound, one thing is clear—Paige Bueckers is rapidly becoming a central figure in Dallas sports culture.

This article first appeared on Dallas Hoops Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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