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WNBA Sends Message to Paige Bueckers After First Basket in Wings-Aces

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated May 2, 2025 8:10 PM ET

Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft on April 14. Several weeks later, she has officially made her WNBA preseason debut.

She suited up for her first game action on Friday night, as the Wings took on the Las Vegas Aces at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

New wings head coach Chris Koclanes had Bueckers in the starting lineup, and it didn't take long for her to score her first bucket.

With under seven minutes to play in the first quarter, Bueckers came off a screen set by teammate NaLyssa Smith and drove to the rim, finishing a tough left-handed layup high off the glass.

Following the play, the WNBA shared a clip of it on social media, sending a message to the 23-year-old rookie.

"Welcome to the league, rook," the WNBA wrote.

Paige Bueckers scores her first ever WNBA preseason bucket. Welcome to the league, rook ✨

DAL-LVA on ION. Stream FREE on the WNBA App with League Pass Preview pic.twitter.com/ZpbHBqUh5r
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 2, 2025

Before making her WNBA debut on Friday, Bueckers spent five seasons at UConn, capping her college career off with a national championship last month. She averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game during her senior season.

Now, the 6-foot guard is expected to make an immediate impact for the Wings, who finished with the second-worst record in the league last season at 9–31.

Alongside Bueckers, new general manager Curt Miller brought in several key additions this offseason, including NaLyssa Smith, Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, and Myisha Hines-Allen.

Bueckers will make her regular-season debut on May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx. Tip-off for that one is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

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

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