The Wings’ No. 1 overall pick is embracing the challenge that comes with jumping to the professional level.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers keeps the ball away from Minnesota Lynx forward Karlie Samuelson during the first half of an WNBA basketball game at College Park Center, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Arlington.
“I’ve enjoyed the sun a little bit. hasn’t called me pale in a while, so I’ve gotten a little tan,” Bueckers said afterGet the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington's A La Carte.While the Wings announced a sellout for Friday’s home opener at UT Arlington’s College Park Center, which seats up to 7,000 spectators, the crowd looked sparse. If Bueckers noticed, she didn’t seem to mind. “I thought they were great,” Bueckers said of the crowd. “They helped us shift momentum at times when we went on runs. They tried to help us stay encouraged and motivated when we needed some of that as well. It was a great turnout and it was great to play in front of them as well.”Back in Connecticut, UConn women’s basketball was the biggest show in town. Sellout crowds routinely filled the 10,167-seat Gampel Pavilion. Now she’s on a team that shares a market with the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers and Stars.But the reception at College Park Center on Friday points to how much further women’s basketball has to go and how differently the college and WNBA game are received. The latter needs the former, with the NCAA attracting more in-person fans and more TV viewership.Still working to draw more interest, the WNBA has heavily marketed young talent such as Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to carry their star power over from college. But if the Wings’ home opener was any indication, that’s not something that happens overnight. With 2.5 million Instagram followers and a fervent UConn alumni base behind her, Bueckers has an army of dedicated fans, but that doesn’t mean their fandom necessarily translates over to the Wings or the WNBA, for that matter. Still, Bueckers is living out her childhood dream and seems ready to embrace the challenge of being part of a rebuilding organization. That is not to say, she’s not nostalgic for her past life at times.One member of the crowd on Friday night was Bueckers’ former UConn teammate KK Arnold, a rising junior for the Huskies. Her presence was a comfort. “That’s family. It’s great to have her here,” Bueckers said. “The transition of me leaving was tough for both of us and a lot of the people back at UConn. So for her to come and support and still be connected, it means a lot.”Paige Bueckers’ Wings debut showed flashes of what’s to comeMyah Taylor covers high school sports and the Dallas Wings. She formerly worked as a Collin County reporter for The Dallas Morning News. Taylor has contributed to the Austin American-Statesman, Yahoo Sports, the Los Angeles Times and Texas Monthly. She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Paige Bueckers's Hometown in MN to Rename City After WNBA Rookie for Her Wings DebutGreetings from Paige Bueckers, Minnesota.
Read more »
Wings' Paige Bueckers has bumpy WNBA preseason debut in loss to AcesWings guard Paige Bueckers, the first overall selection in this year's draft, got her first taste of the pros in her WNBA preseason debut.
Read more »
Fans open wallets as Wings No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers makes WNBA debut FridayPaige Bueckers, after an impressive college career, is a key addition to the Dallas-Fort Worth sports scene. While her arrival boosts ticket demand, she’s...
Read more »
Paige Bueckers' hometown renames itself after Wings rookie for WNBA debutHopkins, Minnesota, will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food and beverages named after Bueckers, and a watch party for the WNBA rookie's debut.
Read more »
Wings-Lynx free livestream: How to watch Paige Bueckers WNBA debut tonight, TV, timeThe Dallas Wings play against the Minnesota Lynx in their WNBA season opener tonight. Fans can watch this game for free online.
Read more »
Paige Bueckers' Reaction to WNBA Debut in Wings Loss to Lynx Speaks VolumesPaige Bueckers got honest about her Dallas Wings losing their WNBA season opener against the Minnesota Lynx.
Read more »