Paige Bueckers Sweeps Major Honors Before Dominant Team USA Performance

She averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists with a field goal percentage of 47.7. Alongside the Rookie of the Year, she was included in the All-WNBA second team and the All-Rookie team as well. Her prominent role in the first season of Unrivaled also drew more attention to the league.

“First of all, very grateful, I know how much the media does for the game of basketball and how much it pushes the narratives and gets us out there, nationally and globally, and so I really appreciate it,” Bueckers said in a recorded statement.

“As much as us players sometimes don’t want to do it after — win or loss, we’ve got to take it on the chin — it’s a part of basketball, and it’s part of growing the game. So I’m very grateful for everybody in the media and everybody who helps push this game.” She added.

Alysha Clark, Satou Sabally, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, and Sabrina Ionescu were the other nominees for the award.

But Paige Bueckers proved why she deserved the award more than anyone else in her most recent game with Team USAB in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Paige Bueckers Dominates Host Nation in a Convincing Win

The Dallas star played spoiler to Puerto Rico’s sold-out crowd in the El Cholí stadium as the hosts never gained the upper hand over the USA.