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Dwyane Wade Sends Paige Bueckers Message Amid Rookie Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 5:47 PM ET

Friday night’s matchup at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, saw the Los Angeles Sparks hand the Dallas Wings a 93-79 loss, their fourth straight of the 2025 WNBA season.

With rookie guard Paige Bueckers sitting out due to concussion protocols, veteran guard Kelsey Plum led the Sparks with a near double-double (11 points, nine assists).

Despite her absence from the court, Bueckers made an unexpected postgame appearance alongside Plum.

A video shared on the WNBA’s Instagram account captured the two linking up, with Bueckers playfully pointing to a spot on the court and delivering a bit of friendly and pointed trash talk.

Plum, taken aback, turned to the camera and said, "You heard it. I’ll remember this day, I’ll remember this day… Rookies talking [expletive] is crazy. Rookies are built different here."

Among the first to react to the post was NBA legend Dwyane Wade, who said, " Every hooper knows exactly what Paige said."

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Selected first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Bueckers entered the league with immense expectations.

The 23-year-old former UConn standout owns a storied collegiate resume, including a National Championship, the Wade Trophy, Honda Sports Award, and Naismith College Player of the Year honors all in 2025.

During her five seasons at UConn, she became the program’s all-time leader in scoring average (19.9 points per game) and earned three unanimous first-team All-American selections.

Plum, now in her first season with the Sparks after a blockbuster three-team trade in February, brings a wealth of experience to Los Angeles.

A two-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces (2022, 2023) and three-time All-Star, Plum earned WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in 2021 and was named All-WNBA First Team in 2022.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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