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Paige Bueckers Names Her Favorite WNBA Player Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 8:11 PM ET

Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings have gotten off to a rough start to begin the 2025 WNBA season, falling to a league-worst 1-11 through their first 12 games.

On Tuesday, Bueckers and the Wings will get a chance to end their losing streak, battling Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries.

Bueckers was forced to miss four games during Dallas' seven-game drought after suffering a concussion and battling an illness. Still, the former UConn star has been arguably the best rookie in the WNBA, averaging 17.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.

Despite her own rising stardom, Bueckers has long looked up to another UConn legend, someone she called her favorite WNBA player.

Back on the day of the 2025 WNBA draft, when Bueckers went No. 1 overall, she sat down with Dallas' WFAA for a "one-minute drill." She was asked numerous rapid-fire questions, including who her favorite WNBA player was.

"Probably Maya Moore," Bueckers said in the video released on Tuesday.

Bueckers also noted that her favorite NBA player to watch growing up was Kyrie Irving, who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks.

Paige Bueckers | Getting to know the Wings guard during one-minute drill via YouTube #wingsup #paigebueckers pic.twitter.com/xuBbpEWP5R
— Anastasia (@TheAnastasia25) June 17, 2025

Moore became one of the best players in WNBA history despite playing for only eight seasons. From 2011 to 2018, she helped the Minnesota Lynx win four WNBA championships alongside stars such as Seimone Augustus.

Moore finished her professional career with seven All-WNBA honors, an MVP award, and a place in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bueckers may go down as one of the greatest UConn players in history, ending her career with a national championship. But it may be nothing compared to Moore's time with Gino Auriemma and the Huskies, winning two championships and scoring the most points in program history (3,036 career points).

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

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