UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers is projected to go as the number one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Bueckers recently led UConn to an 86-49 win over South Florida, where she scored 22 points. Following the victory, Bueckers talked about her leadership mindset.
“I’m trying to set a high standard with how hard I play,” stated Bueckers, as reported by UConn on SNY. “I aim to be disciplined on both offense and defense, take quality shots, keep the ball moving, involve everyone, and ensure that everyone plays as a team. As the team leader, I want to demonstrate how we play at UConn, and that’s my main focus right now.”
Being a strong player is one thing, but being a strong leader can be challenging. At just 23 years old, Bueckers is already showing great leadership qualities, which will benefit UConn and attract WNBA teams.
With the anticipation of being the number one pick, any team choosing Bueckers in the 2025 WNBA Draft will want to structure their roster around her. Bueckers’ leadership skills will make this task easier.
The WNBA Draft Lottery is nearing, with the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings being the frontrunners for the top pick. The Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics are also part of the lottery.
Among the four teams, Washington has the lowest odds of securing the top pick. While the Sparks technically have the best odds, the Wings have a pick-swap agreement with the Sky from a previous trade, giving them the option to swap picks with Chicago if needed.
Unless unforeseen circumstances arise, it is anticipated that Paige Bueckers will be the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Her recent statements have only solidified this expectation.
Currently, Bueckers is focused on leading UConn women’s basketball as they start the 2024-25 season with a 2-0 record and are aiming for a championship in Bueckers’ final college basketball season.
