To be the best, you’ve got to learn from the best—and newly drafted No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers is getting some valuable wisdom from none other than three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.
Wilson didn’t hold back when asked what advice she’d give to Bueckers, who’s poised to become the next big name in women’s basketball. In an interview with USA Today’s Meghan Hall, Wilson said: “Ask questions and be a sponge. I know she’s gonna have vets on (her team) that’s gonna help her navigate the league.”
Bueckers joins a Dallas Wings squad loaded with experience. Sharing the backcourt with stars like Arike Ogunbowale and Tyasha Harris gives her a front-row seat to the league’s pace and pressure—perfect for soaking up knowledge, just like Wilson suggests.
Beyond Xs and Os, A’ja Wilson believes in Bueckers’ makeup as a player and person. “Paige seems like a very great person that’s gonna adapt and adjust at her own way, and everyone else fall in line. I’m very, very excited to see her career,” she added.
The comparisons between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark have been non-stop, but the Dallas Wings rookie isn’t buying into the narrative.
In an interview with ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta, Bueckers shared her mindset: “Running my own race, not running a race in comparison. Because in all honesty, I don’t think me and Caitlin play at all alike.”
She added, “Those comparisons are just media-driven, narrative-driven. And they’re good for the game in terms of getting people to talk about it… I used to think about it and internalize it a little bit more, but now working on myself, working on being present and embracing the people around me and just working on getting better every single day has kind of helped me.”
Paige Bueckers isn’t here to chase anyone else’s spotlight—she’s here to create her own. With her rookie season just around the corner, all eyes are on how she’ll turn potential into production and prove she belongs among the W’s elite.
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