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There’s no doubt for Diana Taurasi that Paige Bueckers will end up as the best WNBA player for the foreseeable future. | Photos: Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings
Diana Taurasi knows greatness when she sees it — and in Paige Bueckers, she sees the WNBA’s next big thing.
The recently retired WNBA legend and three-time champion believes her fellow University of Connecticut product is destined for superstardom.
“She’s going to end up being the best player in the league for sure,” Taurasi said during an appearance on the No Offseason podcast hosted by Ben Pickman of The Athletic.
“She’s so grounded, so patient, and she’s so prepared,” she added.
Diana Taurasi’s got high hopes for Paige Bueckers 👏
(via @TheAthletic)
pic.twitter.com/3mRirQCIB6
— espnW (@espnW) May 27, 202
Taurasi’s remarks came just before Bueckers notched her first career WNBA win after leading the Dallas Wings to a 109–87 rout of the Connecticut Sun on the road. She tallied a career-high 21 points, along with seven assists and five rebounds in the breakthrough performance.
[ALSO READ: Coast-to-Coast: Paige Bueckers claims first WNBA win; Lynx, Liberty extend unbeaten starts]
A product of UConn’s storied program — the same that launched Taurasi’s Hall of Fame career — Bueckers entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the recent WNBA Draft fresh off a historic career as a Husky.
[ALSO READ: As expected, Dallas Wings select Paige Bueckers as top pick in 2025 WNBA Draft]
“She’s learned a lot in the last four or five years. All those things she learned at Connecticut are going to change the way you look at that team,” Taurasi added.
Through five games, Bueckers has made an immediate impact, becoming the second rookie ever to finish with a 21-5-7 stat line while shooting 80% from the field.
Paige Bueckers’ return to Connecticut:
21 PTS (career-high)8-10 FG5 REB7 AST
Joins Temeka Johnson (2005) as the only rookies to ever go for at least 21-5-7 on 80% shooting.
pic.twitter.com/fVcYDymZOk
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) May 28, 2025
While the Wings struggled early with a 1–4 start, Bueckers has consistently scored in double figures and shown signs of steady growth.
“The WNBA is a different beast,” added Taurasi, who finished as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points.
“There are different challenges, especially when you’re drafted by a team that’s rebuilding. But from game one to game two, Paige was a different player. And from game two to game ten, she’s going to grow even more.”
Taurasi, an 11-time All-Star and six-time Olympic gold medalist, averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds over a 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury.
She is widely considered one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history and has been named to the WNBA’s 15th, 20th and 25th Anniversary Teams.
Her endorsement of Bueckers carries weight — and high expectations.
“Her instincts on the court are just incredible,” Taurasi said of Bueckers’ abilities.
“When she has the right group around her, things will change because of her ability to distribute, to score, and to galvanize a team. Once that talent is unlocked, I can’t wait to see what she becomes,” she added.
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