Dallas Wings choose UConn star Paige Bueckers with 1st pick of 2025 WNBA draft
Paige Bueckers, the versatile UConn star, made history on Monday night as she was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft, heading to Dallas to start her professional career. This achievement places her among the elite group of former UConn greats who have also been chosen as the top pick, such as Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart.
Expressing her excitement about the new opportunity in Dallas, Bueckers said, “Dallas I’m so excited, a new city, a new start. A fresh start, so let’s get it.” The moment was captured in a tweet by the WNBA, showcasing Bueckers as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.
Following UConn’s 12th national championship win on April 6, Bueckers has been on a whirlwind journey, appearing on talk shows in New York and Connecticut, participating in the Huskies’ championship parade, and now getting drafted into the WNBA. Her emotional connection to her UConn teammates and coach Geno Auriemma was evident as she thanked them for their support through the highs and lows of her collegiate career.
Known for her stellar 3-point shooting skills, Bueckers maintained an impressive 42.3 percent success rate from behind the arc during her time at UConn. She averaged nearly 20 points per game, along with strong contributions in assists, rebounds, and steals, showcasing her all-around talent on the court.
In the draft following Bueckers’ selection, the Seattle Storm picked 19-year-old French star Dominique Malonga as the second overall pick, while the Washington Mystics chose Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron and Southern Cal’s Kiki Iriafen with the third and fourth picks respectively. The Golden State Valkyries made history by selecting Juste Jocyte of Lithuania as their first-ever draft choice.
The draft featured 12 picks in the first round, with additional selections in the subsequent rounds. Several teams, including New York, Indiana, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Atlanta, did not have picks in the opening round due to trades. Las Vegas forfeited its pick following a league investigation in 2023.
In a separate trade, the Minnesota Lynx acquired forward Karlie Samuelson from the Washington Mystics in exchange for their 2026 first-round draft pick. Samuelson, a 6-foot forward, brings experience and scoring ability to the Lynx, having averaged 5.6 points per game over six WNBA seasons.
Overall, the 2025 WNBA draft was filled with excitement and anticipation as young talent like Paige Bueckers made their way into the professional league, ready to make an impact on the court. As she embarks on this new chapter in Dallas, fans can expect to see her continue to shine and elevate the game of women’s basketball.
