Everything is bigger in Texas, and a legend from UConn is the latest star. The lucky recipient of coveted Paige Bueckers talents has been determined.
The Dallas Wings were named the winners of the WNBA draft lottery, earning the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, making it possible for the organization to draft one of the most hyped and decorated pro prospects in a generation.
Dallas had the second-best odds to win the lottery, the Los Angeles Sparks were first, however the Wings had their odds enhanced because they had the right to swap their own first-round pick with the Chicago Sky’s own first-round pick. The pick swap boosted Dallas’ chances to earn the first pick, and it paved the way to securing the top selection.
Much like how Caitlin Clark was undoubtedly going to be the No. 1 pick out of the University of Iowa in last season’s WNBA draft, this year’s edition is expected to have a clear-cut favorite at the top with Bueckers, who grew up with Clark. The Huskies’ guard was the top high school prospect in her recruiting class prior to college and she has lived up to and exceeded the lofty expectations in Storrs, Connecticut. Bueckers was named the AP Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year in 2021 after a sensational freshmen campaign, but injuries greatly limited her next two seasons.
Now, Bueckers is in her senior season with the Huskies and is expected to continue to be one of the top players in women’s basketball. She has filled up the stat sheet. averaging 19.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 88 career games at UConn. If Bueckers wants to, she can return to UConn because she does still have one season of eligibility remaining after this current campaign, but she is expected to make the leap and live out her dream of going to the next level after this season.
“I hope she goes to a team that she is exactly what they need, whatever that team is,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said last month. “Paige is going to be all right wherever she goes.”
Embed from Getty ImagesDallas has yet to hire a new head coach since they relieved Latricia Trammell of her duties after this past season, but whoever takes over at the helm will get the top pick to start their tenure.
2025 WNBA draft order 1-12:
1. Dallas Wings, 2. Los Angeles Sparks, 3. Chicago Sky, 4. Washington Mystics, 5. Golden State Valkyries, 6. Washington Mystics from Atlanta Dream via Dallas Wings, 7. Phoenix Mercury*, 8. Indiana Fever, 9. Seattle Storm, 10. Chicago Sky from Connecticut Sun, 11. Minnesota Lynx, 12. New York Liberty*
*New York has the right to swap its own first-round pick for Phoenix’s own first-round pick.
The 2025 WNBA draft is scheduled for April 14 on ESPN.
