This was the moment for Paige to turn the page.
“With the first pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Dallas Wings select Paige Bueckers, University of Connecticut.”
The next big thing for the league heard those words announced by commissioner Cathy Engelbert at The Shed at Hudson Yards in Manhattan on Monday night.
After a college career stuffed to the rim with accomplishments, including this season’s national championship, the popular 6-foot point guard headed up to the next level — No. 1 for the second week in a row.
“You just have a level of excitement, nervousness, a bittersweet feeling knowing my journey at UConn is over, but excited for the next one to begin,” Bueckers said. “I can’t wait to play in that system, to play with that team, to embrace that new city.”
Bueckers ran into her share of injury-induced adversity during her time at UConn, suffering a pair of major injuries to her left knee. But when she played, she stood out in the crowd. Bueckers claimed national player of the year awards as a freshman in 2021 and for this final season.
The three-time first-team All-American and two-time Nancy Lieberman Award winner for best point guard led the Huskies to four Final Fours. She averaged 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in her college days.
“She’s a special talent who can get where she wants to get and once she’s gets there, hit her shots at a ridiculously high efficiency,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said during a Zoom session with the media last week.
But Bueckers wants to do more than just make shots. The Minnesota native has an interest in being involved with the players’ association, as well. The first year of her new three-year deal to play in the offseason 3-on-3 Unrivaled league has been reported to be worth more than her total four-year rookie contract in the WNBA.
“I think that’s conversations I’m continuing to have, what that looks like to be a player rep,” Bueckers said. “But I definitely want to be in those rooms, have those conversations, be a voice for the players and stand up for us.”
Seattle went big with the second pick, selecting 19-year-old Dominique Malonga. The 6-6 center born in Cameroon has been playing professionally in France with Lyon ASVEL. She also helped France claim a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I’m really, really excited to step on the court in the W and show that European basketball is something, too, and I can come here and showcase my talent,” Malonga said.
Juste Jocyte, a Lithuanian forward who’s Malinga’s Lyon teammate, was taken fifth, becoming expansion Golden State’s first pick.
Rebuilding Washington chose third (Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron), fourth (USC forward Kiki Iriafen) and sixth (Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore).
Connecticut had picks seven and eight, adding LSU forward Aneesah Morrow and then North Carolina State guard Saniya Rivers.
“I think this draft class is amazing,” Bueckers said. “I just think the new wave and generation of basketball players are bringing so much to the game.”
Engelbert speaks
At a predraft news conference, Engelbert announced a general four-pronged plan to “combat hate and vitriol in the forms experienced by our players, teams, staff and fans.”
A task force came up with enhanced monitoring of social media and other digital outlets, beefing up conduct standards, including in the arenas, adding security measures and continuing to make mental health experts available to deal with player concerns.
She also confirmed that Cleveland, Philadelphia and Houston are on the list along with several unnamed cities for a possible expansion team no later than 2028.
