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Paige Bueckers Earns New Nickname From Sue Bird’s Partner Megan Rapinoe
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Thursday's episode of "A Touch More with Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe" began with the pair delving into life on and off the court, until Rapinoe dropped a surprise on-air tribute to WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers. 

Bueckers joined the Dallas Wings roster fresh off a historic collegiate career at UConn, culminating in a 2025 NCAA championship and the Wade Trophy as national player of the year.

Over her UConn career, Bueckers collected three unanimous All-American nods, three Big East Player of the Year honors, and left as the program’s all-time leading scorer per game (19.9).

In Thursday's episode, Rapinoe referred to Bueckers as "The Rizz Daddy Paige," teasing that, given Dallas’s sweltering temperatures, "you know we’re going to be seeing some jorts because she’s in Dallas and it’s hot." 

A two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (2015, 2019), Rapinoe claimed the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the 2019 tournament, finishing as top scorer and best player. 

She was also named The Best FIFA Women's Player that same year. 

In 2012, Rapinoe earned Olympic gold in London and bronze at Tokyo 2021.

Named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2020) and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022, Rapinoe has leveraged her platform to advance LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and social justice.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, Bueckers has made an immediate impact in her WNBA career. 

Through her first three games, she’s averaged 13.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per outing, including her first career double-double (12 points, 10 assists) against the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. 

Despite the Wings’ 0-3 start, all eyes continue to be on “The Rizz Daddy Paige.”

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

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