Dallas Wings should be thrilled with early returns on Paige Bueckers

“It means a lot,” Bueckers said. “I feel like I have a lot of people who go to bat for me. To have people who really know and understand the game respect what I do, that’s meaningful. I’m not sure how the voting worked exactly, but to do well across the board, it definitely means a lot.”

Now, after earning an All-Star nod in her debut season, the former first overall pick may be exceeding the lofty expectations the Wings envisioned. 

Bueckers leads all rookies in scoring (18.7), assists (5.7) and steals (1.8). She has the second-highest scoring performance among all players this season with her 35-point outing at Phoenix on June 11, and is the lone first-year player with a points-assists double-double this year.

Bueckers joins Caitlin Clark (2024), Aliyah Boston (2023), Shoni Schimmel (2014), Elena Delle Donne (2013), Brittney Griner (2013), Maya Moore (2011), Sue Bird (2002), Tamika Catchings (2002) and Chamique Holdsclaw (1999) as the other rookies to have been selected to start a WNBA All-Star Game.

Despite the high praise, Bueckers isn't motivated by the external validation.

“I don’t live by anybody else’s expectations or what I’m supposed to look like,” the Wings guard said. “I go out there and play every single game and possession for what it is. The results may vary, and whatever they look like on any given night, I live with them.”

Bueckers credited her mindset to years of blocking out distractions and a commitment to staying grounded amid constant attention.

“A lot of mental work — framing my thoughts and perspective on basketball and life,” she said. “Running my own race and not looking to the side to see what anyone else is doing. Just being where my feet are. People probably get tired of me saying that, but that’s my motto: focus on myself and how I can make others better. It’s the best way to maximize life.”

Whether she wants the praise or not, Bueckers has earned her spot among the best guards in the WNBA.

Bueckers' seven games with 20+ points is tied for the fifth-most in the WNBA, and her 21.6 points per game average in June ranked third among all qualified players.

Just as she did during her decorated career at UConn, Bueckers uses her crafty dribble package and smooth jumper to score in multiple ways in Dallas.

Now, she will get the chance to display her impressive offensive skillset on one of the WNBA's grandest stages.

The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, July 19, on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+ (8:30 p.m. ET). The game broadcast will be preceded by a half-hour edition of WNBA Countdown presented by Google on ABC (8 p.m. ET).