When the Dallas Wings entered the WNBA Draft Lottery, their technical odds of landing the No. 1 pick stood at just 45.5%. But when they walked out, they held the top pick, thanks in large part to the 2023 trade that sent Marina Mabrey to the Chicago Sky. And while the draft was still months away, the excitement inside the franchise was immediate. “I just fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD! ,” wrote Arike Ogunbowale, unable to contain her joy. Why? Because even then, she knew exactly who was coming—Paige Bueckers. Now, just a few months later, it all makes sense. The UConn sensation has officially made her debut for the Wings. But despite all the hype she carried into the league, her first real WNBA moment didn’t fully match the towering expectations. In her preseason debut, she finished with 10 points in 23 minutes—a decent showing, but perhaps not quite the instant explosion many hoped for. Still, the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
What truly stands out is the love and support her teammates already show her. And a perfect example of that came when the Wings made another key roster move: officially exercising the fourth-year rookie contract option for forward Maddy Siegrist, securing her as a core piece of the team’s future.
Siegrist, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, has grown tremendously in just one season. She’s upped her scoring average from 3.7 points as a rookie to 9.4 points in 2024. She’s also appeared in over 27 games and started 13 of them—proving her value and consistency. So yes, bringing her back was an obvious move. But there’s another layer to this story—her connection with Bueckers.
And Maddy Siegrist is locked in!
Exercising the fourth-year rookie contract option of Paige Bueckers’ go-to PNR partner was definitely a priority. Just because it was an obvious move doesn’t make it any less important!
Maddy 3rd Year Leap Loading… https://t.co/tjmsTwoJrk
— Conrado Pascual (@CP3_777) May 6, 2025
See, Siegrist and Bueckers go way back. Maddy played her college ball for Villanova, UConn’s Big East rival. And the two faced off more than once in some intense matchups. Just consider their January 29, 2023 clash wherein Siegrist, who led the nation in scoring at 28.5 points per game, dropped 20 points against the Huskies. Still, UConn found ways to contain her in the first half and came out with the win. That’s the competitive fire that once defined them as rivals.
But fast forward to today—they’re teammates, and that rivalry has transformed into chemistry.
During training camp, Bueckers frequently ran the offense as the primary point guard, initiating plays and hitting rollers with sharp pocket passes in pick-and-roll sets. This rhythm between her and Siegrist began to show immediate returns. In a recent preseason game, Siegrist capitalized on those setups, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
Clearly, they’re helping each other level up—on and off the court. But teaming up with a former rival isn’t the only thing Bueckers is doing to help the Wings.
While her preseason stat line may seem underwhelming—especially when she’s coming in with a college average of 19.8 points per game—Bueckers isn’t letting it shake her. Instead, she’s embracing the process, treating preseason for what it truly is: a chance to grow.
And her work ethic? It’s already making headlines.
“Paige, instead of leaving, she immediately goes and starts shooting free throws. And to me, that just tells me what kind of star she is,” a journalist observed.
This dedication reflects just how seriously Bueckers is taking her transition to the pro level. “She answers the tough questions, but she also works extremely hard, and she wants to be in the gym. So that just really impressed me,” the same journalist added.
And honestly, it tracks. We’ve always known Bueckers for her relentless drive. Even at UConn, she was famous for those late-night gym sessions—sometimes turning the gym into her own Fortnite battlefield just to stay motivated.
So while her debut may not have shattered records, her response to it speaks volumes. She’s staying after practice. She’s putting up extra shots. She’s preparing not just to play, but to dominate. And in doing so, she’s proving why the Wings—and the entire league—believe she’s the next big thing.
Paige Bueckers’s ultimate goal is improvement!
Paige Bueckers has always been rooted in hard work. Even during her time at UConn, she was well-known for her late-night gym sessions. At one point, she even transformed the gym into a Fortnite battlefield—a unique and creative way to stay engaged and motivated.
Now in the WNBA, Bueckers is simply following the same habits she developed during her collegiate career—and it’s already starting to reflect in her game. In her preseason debut, she scored 10 points, most of which came after learning and adjusting from early mistakes.
NCAA, College League, USA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut at UCLA Apr 4, 2025 Tampa, FL, USA Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers 5 plays against the UCLA Bruins during second quarter in a semifinal of the women s 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena. Tampa Amalie Arena FL USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xNathanxRayxSeebeckx 20250404_ajw_fo8_283
She started strong, putting up four points in the first quarter, but ran into some trouble in the second, missing all her shots and appearing hesitant within the offense.
Still, she bounced back in the second half, knocking down two three-pointers and finishing the game 4-for-7 from the field, along with four rebounds and an assist. Even new head coach Chris Koclanes emphasized patience as the team adjusts, noting that the Wings are rebuilding with only three returning players from last season.
Despite the loss, Bueckers expressed excitement about the opportunity ahead and showed a commitment to gradual improvement, brushing off any outside pressure.
Simply put, there’s a lot more to come from her this season!
The post Teammate’s Opinion Only Confirms Behind-The-Scenes Scoop About Paige Bueckers’ Growing Legend In Dallas appeared first on EssentiallySports.
