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NY Liberty Star Makes Strong Paige Bueckers Statement After 2025 WNBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The 2025 WNBA draft is officially in the books, and former UConn star Paige Bueckers is now a Dallas Wing.

Dallas secured the No. 1 pick by winning the draft lottery back on Nov. 17 and used it on Monday night to land Bueckers. The Wings are coming off a rough 9-31 season, but with new general manager Curt Miller now in charge, he's since reshaped the roster.

In addition to drafting Bueckers, he pulled off a major four-team trade to bring in DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and NaLyssa Smith. He also added veteran forward Myisha Hines-Allen in free agency.

Dallas now has a projected starting lineup of Bueckers (PG), Arike Ogunbowale (SG), Carrington (SF), Maddy Siegrist (PF) and Teaira McCowan (C),

New York Liberty star Natasha Cloud appeared on Bleacher Report's live coverage of the WNBA draft and, following Dallas' Bueckers pick, discussed how the 6-foot guard fits with her new team.

"I think she fits perfectly in here," Cloud said. "I think, again, that Dallas has needed a solid point guard over the last few seasons."

Bueckers was undoubtedly the top prospect in this year’s draft. She recently led UConn to its first national championship since 2016. She's also a three-time unanimous First-Team All-American and swept the major national awards in 2021: John R. Wooden Award, AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, and USBWA National Player of the Year.

In her senior year at UConn, the 23-year-old averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

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

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