'I’m Excited': Paige Bueckers to Throw Ceremonial First Pitch at Texas Rangers Game

Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, joining Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman for the Texas Rangers’ pregame ceremony ahead of their matchup against the Kansas City Royals at 7:05 p.m. CT.

Wednesday’s appearance at Globe Life Field won’t be Bueckers’ first time on a major league mound. Last summer, the Minnesota native threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Twins game against the Royals at Target Field. Wearing a Twins jersey, Bueckers made the appearance during her offseason from UConn, creating a memorable homecoming moment ahead of her final college season — and now, less than a year later, she’ll do it again in Texas as a rising star in the WNBA.

The appearance marks one of Bueckers’ first major public honors since entering the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick in April. Rangers beat writer Kennedi Landry of MLB.com first reported the news.

“It’s something that I’m excited to be a part of,” Bueckers recently confirmed to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Just everything in between—those experiences are really fun.”

The first pitch appearance follows Bueckers scoring 20 points and adding four rebounds, two assists, and four steals in Dallas’ 80–71 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday night at College Park Center. She played all 40 minutes and hit a go-ahead jumper with just over four minutes remaining, helping the Wings snap a seven-game losing streak and earn their first home win of the season.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Bueckers said after the game. “I think this was a growing moment for us. We stuck together, we got stops when it mattered, and that’s what got us this win—our stops.”

Bueckers’ impact in Dallas is already extending far beyond the court. She is scheduled to be a special guest at the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Draft Party on Wednesday, June 25, at American Airlines Center, where she’ll appear alongside Mavericks legends such as Rolando Blackman, Nick Van Exel, Josh Howard, and 1981 No. 1 pick Mark Aguirre. The event celebrates the Mavericks holding the top pick in the NBA Draft, with Duke standout Cooper Flagg set to be selected No. 1 overall.

That crossover visibility was also on display during the NHL Playoffs. Bueckers was spotted sitting front row on the glass at American Airlines Center for Game 4 of the Dallas Stars’ Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, joined by her former UConn teammate KK Arnold.

With the Wings now 2–11, her consistent production and leadership remain a bright spot as Dallas looks to gain traction heading into Friday’s road matchup against the Connecticut Sun. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.