Four-time WNBA All-Star applauds Paige Bueckers, passes along advice

Paige Bueckers finds herself navigating life in the WNBA a little over a month after winning a national championship with UConn. As she pushes through her early weeks in the pros, one of the league's top stars passed on some advice to the No. 1 pick. 

In the early days of the 2025 campaign, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has gotten a good look at Bueckers. The Lynx has already faced off against the Dallas Wings twice, most recently on May 21. 

Bueckers shined in the second meeting between these teams, posting the first double-double of her pro career (12 points, 10 assists). However, this was not enough to get the Wings over the hump as they lost in a nail-biter, 85-81.

When asked about the young guard, Collier praised her game and urged her to make the most of her expanded minutes at the point guard position. 

"I think Paige is gonna be really good," Collier said. "Rookie year is really hard so I would just tell her there's gonna be up-and-downs, but from what I've seen she's staying aggressive in these first couple games. I'd tell her keep doing that and lead the team." 

Despite adjusting to the pros on the fly, Bueckers seems to be doing well. Through her first three games, she is averaging 13.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 6.7 APG.

Given the quick turnaround between the college and WNBA seasons, prospects of all levels are expected to experience growing pains.

While it hasn't gotten them in the win column yet, the Wings should feel good about the player they drafted first overall. Bueckers is already showing strong flashes as a scorer and facilitator. 

The numbers don't jump off the page, but are a major positive for Dallas. Bueckers' production will only increase as she gets more comfortable at the WNBA level.