After helping UConn clinch its 12th national championship, Paige Bueckers is now ready for her next big chapter. The versatile star has been selected as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings.
“I’m beyond excited to be here. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Dallas,” Bueckers shared. “I’m thrilled to start this new chapter, explore the city, and give everything I have to the Wings. I know we’ll accomplish great things together, and I’m ready for a fresh start.”
Bueckers is the latest UConn player to be selected first overall, joining a prestigious list of Huskies legends like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart.
Her schedule has been packed since UConn’s championship win on April 6. Between promoting her success in New York and Connecticut, she’s also participated in various talk shows and joined her teammates for the Huskies’ championship parade.
“The distance between New York and Storrs isn’t too bad, so I’ve been bouncing back and forth,” Bueckers said. “Part of me wanted to stay in Storrs to celebrate with the team and savor my last moments at school, but the other part of me knows I need to prepare for this exciting new chapter.”
At the draft, held in New York at The Shed, Bueckers was joined by her UConn teammates and Coach Geno Auriemma. The emotional moment made her reflect on the impact her teammates had on her journey. “They mean everything to me. They’ve helped me through the highs and lows,” she said, fighting back tears.
Seattle followed Dallas’ pick by selecting Dominique Malonga, a 19-year-old French star, with the No. 2 pick. The 6-foot-6 Malonga helped lead the French basketball team to a silver medal at the Olympics and became the highest-drafted French player in WNBA history since 1997.
“It was such an honor to achieve this goal,” Malonga said. “It shows how much French basketball has evolved, with players like Wembanyama and Risacher making an impact. We’re seeing French basketball grow.”
The Washington Mystics, under a new coach and general manager, selected Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron with the third pick and Southern Cal’s Kiki Iriafen at No. 4. They also picked Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore with the sixth pick. Amoore made waves on the WNBA’s orange carpet, thanks to NBA star Russell Westbrook, who designed her outfit. She praised his involvement in the process, saying he spent hours ensuring the perfect fit.
“It’s been amazing working with him. He really went above and beyond. To have someone like him to lean on is incredible,” Amoore said.
The Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team, made Lithuanian player Juste Jocyte their first-ever draft pick. Connecticut made consecutive picks, selecting LSU’s Aneesah Morrow at No. 7 and N.C. State’s Saniya Rivers at No. 8. Los Angeles followed by taking Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker at No. 9, and Chicago picked Slovenia’s Ajsa Sivka at No. 10. TCU’s Hailey Van Lith was selected shortly after.
Dallas completed the first round by drafting Aziah James from N.C. State.
Several teams did not have picks in the opening round, including New York, Indiana, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Atlanta, who traded away their selections. Las Vegas forfeited its pick due to a violation of league rules in 2023 related to player benefits and workplace policies.
