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Finally, the star UConn guard made her decision.
Paige Bueckers, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in next month’s WNBA Draft, told ESPN about her plans to forgo her final year of collegiate eligibility and enter the draft.
The confirmation makes her arrival to the Dallas Wings, who own the first pick, a near certainty.
As Bueckers led the Huskies to a 31-3 regular-season record and into the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Spokane region, rumors swirled about the guard’s upcoming plans.
With Bueckers having one year of eligibility remaining, she could’ve returned to UConn like her teammate Azzi Fudd did. Fudd announced the move in a social media post Tuesday.
The WNBA’s potential new collective bargaining agreement, which would come into effect for the 2026 season, gave Bueckers and other prospects incentive to sit out the 2025 season in hopes for a more lucrative salary upon arrival to the league.
Sitting out the 2025 WNBA season and participating in Unrivaled, the new winter 3-on-3 league, could’ve also been an option for Bueckers.
Instead, Bueckers is likely headed to Dallas to form a dynamic backcourt alongside four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, who averaged 22.2 points and 5.1 assists per game in 38 games in 2024.
In her final collegiate season, Bueckers is averaging 19.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while owning 54.2/41.1/90.2 shooting splits.
She and the Huskies are currently in the Big Dance vying for an NCAA Tournament title. A title would be Bueckers’ first NCAA championship.
The Huskies will be back in action against No. 3 seeded Oklahoma on Saturday at Spokane Arena.
Originally Published: March 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM EDT
