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The jump from the college ranks to the WNBA for a player like Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers can be quite jarring for a multitude of reasons.
The No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA draft led UConn to its 12th NCAA Tournament title on April 6, and less than a month later, on May 2, she made her WNBA preseason debut.
While the quick turnaround is a tough adjustment, four-time WNBA Champion and fellow former No. 1 pick out of UConn, Sue Bird, recently highlighted another aspect of the transition that could be tougher.
The 13-time WNBA All-Star, who is now a part-owner of the Seattle Storm, told Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider that losing as many games as the 2-11 Wings are is an adjustment for Bueckers.
"Obviously, the team in Dallas, you know, is a brand new team, a brand new coach," Bird said. "So they're, they're going through all of those growing pains. "We've all been there, and it could be hard when you're losing...She hasn't lost that much in a long time. And that's the tough part about coming into the WNBA as a UConn player, you just haven't lost that much."
In her four seasons at UConn, Bueckers and the Huskies had over 100 wins, won four Big East Tournament titles and, of course, this past season's title.
However, despite the struggles that Bueckers' team has had, the rookie has still impressed Bird.
"I think she's doing great," said Bird. "You know, it was a bummer about the concussion. It kind of held her out for a couple games, then she got sick another one. But then, you know, first game back, she drops 35. So, I would say things are going pretty well."
In nine games, Bueckers is averaging 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game. She and the Wings will look to secure win No. 3 on the year on Friday when they play the Connecticut Sun.
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