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UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers is already making headlines in the WNBA before entering the league. The Dallas Wings, who hold the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, have released former center Stephanie Soares to potentially make room for the Minnesota native.
Still able to commit to her program due to her final year eligibility, Bueckers is expected to forego her final year in college and be the 2025 WNBA draft’s first pick. The Wings have thus made adjustments to their roster and axed their fourth overall pick from 2022 on Saturday.
The news was confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) by Sun-Time’s Annie Costabile:
“INBOX: Dallas Wings have waived Stephanie Soares who was drafted with the fourth overall pick in 2023. She was traded to the Wings on draft night and missed the 2023 season due to injury. Played 22 games for the Wings in 2024.”
Fans felt the Wings’ decision showcased the brutal side of the league. Many reacted to this news in the comments as they tried to make sense of the decision to let go of young talent:
“Brutal league.”
“Dallas continually shows why no one of any value should play there,” wrote another.
“That is the Brazilian player… Right?” expressed a third, mentioning Stephanie Soares.
Few fans also understood the Wing’s tactics in waiving a 24-year-old talent as they teased Paige Bueckers’ inevitable move.
“It begins,” wrote another, teasing Paige Bueckers’ arrival.
“Hmm” expressed a fan.
The Wings’ move might not necessarily be completely related to Paige Bueckers. Although waiving the 24-year-old leaves plenty of room for a rookie contract, Soares has a worrying injury history. The Brazilian sustained two back-to-back ACL injuries during her time in Iowa and missed the 2023 WNBA season despite being drafted at No. 4.
Soares started only 3 games last season and played 22 games in total. Her contribution has not been as originally hoped, and her axing does not come as a complete surprise.
Paige Bueckers set to play her 100th game for the Huskies
Paige Bueckers will be hitting a special milestone on Sunday as the UConn Huskies travel to Pennsylvania to face Villanova. The Big East showdown will mark Paige’s 100th game for the Huskies, who look to remain undefeated in the conference.
The 23-year-old has been suiting up for the Huskies since 2020 and has been a star ever since her inception in the NCAA circuit. While an ACL injury meant she had to redshirt the 2022-23 season, Bueckers has been an integral part of the Huskies ever since her return, helping the team reach the Final Four last season.
This year, the guard is averaging 22.0 points per game and has a 55.5% field goal percentage. Bueckers chases her first NCAA crown before what many believe to be an imminent move to the WNBA.
The game against Villanova at the Finneran Pavilion will be a special one and Paige Bueckers could record her 2,000th point during the fixture as well. The Huskies star will need 33 points, which won’t be an easy feat to achieve against a strong side.
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Edited by John Maxwell
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