

The 2025 WNBA Draft is on the books as yesterday in New York there were no surprise when the Dallas Wings selected Paige Bueckers with the first overall pick. Fresh off leading the University of Connecticut to its first national championship in nearly a decade – just eight days earlier – Bueckers arrived as a highly touted prospect. She joins a prestigious list of UConn greats, including Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore, who were top picks following title-winning seasons.
For Dallas, a team looking to rebound from missing the playoffs last year and preparing for a move to a bigger downtown arena in 2026, Bueckers is a game-changer. The Wings are counting on her to bring the kind of buzz that Caitlin Clarkgenerated in Indiana, where record-breaking performances fueled skyrocketing attendance and merchandise sales. Bueckers, with her smooth style and down-to-earth attitude, seemed primed for a stellar rookie year-until a minor slip-up put her in hot water with her new city.
A Tex-Mex Misstep Sparks a Stir
Draft night was a whirlwind for Bueckers. Surrounded by her UConn teammates, her mother and legendary coach Geno Auriemma, she soaked up the moment when her name was called. Speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, she exuded excitement about joining the Wings, saying, “I’m coming in and I want to give this organization everything I have.” But when Rowe asked about her message to Dallas fans, Bueckers’ answer went off script. After a playful remark about preferring Tex-Mex to barbecue, she added, “Dallas, I’m so excited! Just a new city, a new start, a new beginning. Let’s go get it!”
The off-the-cuff food preference may not have gone over well in a city that takes its barbecue seriously. Fans quickly took to social media, some jokingly accusing her of snubbing a Dallas tradition before she even stepped on the court. The comment was clearly meant as a lighthearted joke, but it’s already got Dallasites talking on social media.
It’s a small glimpse into the intense scrutiny Buckers will face as the No. 1 pick in a league riding a wave of momentum after last year’s record-setting season. Dallas fans are eager for a star to rally behind, and while Bueckers’ enthusiasm for a fresh start shone through, her barbecue blunder shows how even small moments can be magnified in the professional spotlight. She’ll have to win over the city with her play – and maybe a few bites of brisket – when the season kicks off.
Looking Ahead After Draft Night
The 2025 WNBA Draft was a showcase of emerging talent, headlined by Buecker’s selection. The Seattle Storm followed with the No. 2 pick, selecting French center Dominique Malonga, a 6-foot-6 force who averaged 15.0 points and 10.3 rebounds for Lyon. The Washington Mystics, who held the third, fourth and sixth picks, took USC’s Kiki Iriafen, a standout alongside JuJu Watkins, with the fourth pick to bolster their roster. Five teams – New York, Indiana, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Atlanta – opted out of the first round after trading away their picks, narrowing the field but amplifying the impact of top selections like Bueckers.
With the draft in the books, the focus shifts to the upcoming season. Training camps open on April 27, giving rookies a chance to gel with their teams, and the regular season kicks off on May 16. For Bueckers, it’s a chance to put the Tex-Mex flap behind her and prove her worth on the court, setting the stage for a much-anticipated clash with Clark on June 27 that could redefine the WNBA landscape.
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