When the Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft Lottery, it was clear they had their sights set on one player — former UConn star and national champion Paige Bueckers. Bueckers has impressed early in her rookie campaign,

Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings dribbles around a screen set by teammate NaLyssa Smith #1 of the Dallas Wings on Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of a WNBA Commissioner's Cup game at PHX Arena on June 11, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Wings lost the 10th of their first 11 games despite a new career-high point total from the rookie Bueckers.