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'I Would Like to See Kyrie at a Game': Paige Bueckers Hopes to Share Dallas Stage With Kyrie Irving

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Grant Afseth | Last updated May 8, 2025 9:48 AM ET

Paige Bueckers has already made waves in Dallas since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft. But when asked which celebrity she’d like to see courtside during her rookie season with the Wings, the answer came without hesitation: Kyrie Irving.

“I would like to see Kyrie at a game for sure,” Bueckers said during the team’s Media Day.

It’s more than just a wish — it’s a meaningful connection. Bueckers has admired Irving for years, calling him her favorite player and an inspiration both on and off the court. Now that both are playing professionally in Dallas — Bueckers with the Wings and Irving with the Mavericks — she’s hoping that bond becomes something the city’s basketball community can see in action.

“He’s been my favorite player for forever now,” Bueckers said at her introductory press conference. “Super excited to be in the same city as him. Hope I can learn a lot from him. I know he is going through an ACL journey himself, so to be able to lean on and support each other through that, I think it’s something that can be motivating.”

Irving, who tore his left ACL in March 2025, has dealt with his own share of injury setbacks. Bueckers missed the entire 2022-23 season at UConn with a torn ACL before leading her team to a national championship in her final college season. The shared recovery experience has added depth to her admiration.

The mutual respect is evident. Irving welcomed Bueckers to Dallas with a congratulatory video message after the draft, calling her “my little sister” and praising her journey. Bueckers, in turn, called Irving “extremely underratedly strong” and applauded his creativity, work ethic, and authenticity.

Irving has long been a vocal supporter of the WNBA, famously donating $1.5 million to players who opted out of the COVID-impacted 2020 season. He often spends his offseasons in Los Angeles and attended several Sparks games last summer with his daughter, Azurie. At one game, he introduced her to Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, continuing his tradition of supporting women’s basketball across generations.

Now, Irving has another opportunity to show that support in Dallas, this time from the stands of College Park Center.

As Bueckers prepares to make her WNBA debut on May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx, her hope to see Irving at a game reflects more than starstruck fandom. It celebrates shared experience, mutual respect, and a growing connection between the city’s NBA and WNBA communities.

And if Irving does make his way to a Wings game, he won’t just be watching a rising star — he’ll be watching someone who credits him for helping pave the path.

This article first appeared on Dallas Hoops Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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