Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings‘ No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is under a microscope as she steps into the pros. NBA legend Dwyane Wade, a three-time champion, recently weighed in on the intense expectations surrounding the former UConn star, dropping a truth bomb about her high-stakes role. “It’s not just about talent; it’s about carrying a city’s hopes,” Wade said on his PlayersTV platform, highlighting the unique pressure Bueckers faces in Dallas.
Bueckers’ college career was legendary-capped by a 2025 NCAA championship, a Naismith Player of the Year award, and 21.9 points per game last season, per ESPN. Selected first overall on April 14, 2025, at The Shed at Hudson Yards, she’s already driving an 11x spike in Wings ticket sales, per SeatGeek.
What a hint Paige Bueckers might hav given away her secret new look
Yet, Wade, who knows a thing or two about leading a franchise, warned that her transition won’t be easy. “You’re not just playing ball; you’re filling a void left by giants,” he noted, referencing Dallas’ loss of Luka Doncic.
The Wings, coming off a 9-31 season, are banking on Bueckers to spark a turnaround alongside Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington. National analyst Rachel DeMita projected a starting lineup featuring Bueckers at point guard, but cautioned, “She can’t play off-ball too much with Arike’s style“. Bueckers’ 89% free-throw shooting and playmaking are assets, but her injury history-a 2021 meniscus tear and 2022 ACL tear-looms large, though GMs downplay concerns, per ESPN.
Is Paige Bueckers ready for Dallas’ spotlight?
Wade’s comments come as Bueckers navigates sky-high expectations. Her $78,831 rookie salary, a stark contrast to NBA No. 1 picks’ $13.8 million, underscores the WNBA’s pay gap, per CBC News. Yet, her off-court appeal-third in jersey sales behind Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese-positions her as a commercial force. “She’s got the charisma to carry a franchise,” a WNBA GM told ESPN, but Wade emphasized mental toughness. “The spotlight burns if you’re not ready,” he said.
Bueckers, who idolized Wade growing up, faces comparisons to Clark’s seismic WNBA impact. With the Wings’ season opener against the Indiana Fever looming, the “Paige Effect” is real-ticket prices are up 50% league-wide. As she steps into Dallas’ bright lights, Wade’s words ring true: it’s about more than hoops-it’s about rising to a city’s dreams.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
What Does Brian Callahan’s Firing Mean for Cam Ward’s Development with Titans?
Cam Ward didn’t have much stability in his college football days. The No. 1 pick had three different offensive playcallers in his last three seasons at Washington State (2022-23) and Miami (2024). That’s on top of the challenges acclimating to different coaching staffs and teammates at three programs in a five-year span. So in August, when asked about what it could mean for him to finally have stability in the NFL, the Titans rookie quarterback said it would "unlock everything.""You see the best quarterbacks out there," Ward said during training camp. "Tom Brady? He had stability. Lamar [Jackson]? He had stability. Pat [Mahomes]? He had stability. I just think that a lot of guys who have stability in the NFL can succeed at a faster rate, but can also succeed long term. I just think that’s what we need in Tennessee."That's […]
Monday Night Football Live Updates: Bills vs. Falcons, Bears vs. Commanders
Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season will conclude with another Monday Night Football doubleheader, as the Bills face off against the Falcons and the Bears take on the Commanders. Up first, Josh Allen and Buffalo (4-1) will visit Atlanta looking to bounce back from their first loss in a Week 6 upset against the Patriots. They'll face Bijan Robinson and the rested Falcons (2-2), who are coming off their bye in search of some momentum after a seesaw of a start to the year. Game 2 will see Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft, battle it out for the second time in their young careers. What will Round 2 have in store? Well, if it's anything like last year's meeting, fans could be in for more drama after witnessing the now-memorable […]
Underdog Fantasy Promo Code ‘FOXSPORTS’ Unlocks Play $5, Get $100 for MNF Doubleheader
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.Week 6 of the NFL ends with another Monday Night Football doubleheader, and Underdog has you covered on all the action.The Atlanta Falcons host the Buffalo Bills at 7:15pm ET. The second game of the night is a rematch of one of the memorable moments of last season. The Chicago Bears take on the Washington Commanders at 8:15 p.m. ET.Josh Allen is 1-0 against the Falcons in his career, with that one win coming back in the 2021 season— when he led the Bills to a 3-1 record against NFC South teams.After a game-winning Hail Mary catch from Noah Brown, the Commanders surged to the NFC Championship while the loss […]
Monday Night Football prediction, odds, spread, time: Bears vs. Commanders picks by expert on 31-17 roll
The Chicago Bears look to win their third game in a row when they battle the Washington Commanders in a key NFC matchup on 'Monday Night Football.' Chicago is coming off a 25-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 28 after a last-minute blocked field goal, while Washington downed the Los Angeles Chargers 27-10 on Sunday. The Bears (2-2), who are fourth in the NFC North, are 1-1 on the road this season. The Commanders (3-2), who are second in the NFC East, are 2-0 on their home field. Washington has some concerns at receiver with Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) ruled out and Deebo Samuel (heel) listed as questionable, though he's reportedly set to play.Kickoff from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Washington leads the all-time series 28-25-1, including last […]
NFL bans Lions’ Branch for one game after punching opponent
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been banned for one game without pay by the NFL after he punched Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in an incident that set off a post-game scuffle. NFL vice president of football operations, Jon Runyan, wrote in a letter to Branch: "Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players."Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game."Branch - who can appeal the suspension - is poised to miss the Lions' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday. The 23-year-old will be eligible to re-join the active roster the following day. Image: Branch will miss the Lions' game with Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday Branch: I did a little […]
Papers: Arsenal suffer fresh Odegaard blow as timeline revealed
The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...THE TIMES Martin Odegaard is expected to miss another six weeks with the knee injury he suffered against West Ham United. Image: Martin Odegaard suffered the injury in a first-half collision at the Emirates Stadium THE DAILY MAILNewcastle United have reached out to FIFA following an injury setback for Yoane Wissa. Image: Yoane Wissa poses for photographs after signing for Newcastle United THE SUN Chelsea striker David Fofana has been ordered to pay a total of £12,130 after driving his Cadillac Escalade without a valid licence or insurance. Former Leicester defender and Premier League winner Christian Fuchs was spotted in the stands at Newport County - sparking talk that he could be joining the coaching team.THE GUARDIANUEFA is planning to give clubs more time to resolve potential multiclub ownership (MCO) issues next […]
Related
What Does Brian Callahan’s Firing Mean for Cam Ward’s Development with Titans?
Cam Ward didn’t have much stability in his college football days. The No. 1 pick had three different offensive playcallers in his last three seasons at Washington State (2022-23) and Miami (2024). That’s on top of the challenges acclimating to different coaching staffs and teammates at three programs in a five-year span. So in August, when asked about what it could mean for him to finally have stability in the NFL, the Titans rookie quarterback said it would "unlock everything.""You see the best quarterbacks out there," Ward said during training camp. "Tom Brady? He had stability. Lamar [Jackson]? He had stability. Pat [Mahomes]? He had stability. I just think that a lot of guys who have stability in the NFL can succeed at a faster rate, but can also succeed long term. I just think that’s what we need in Tennessee."That's […]
Monday Night Football Live Updates: Bills vs. Falcons, Bears vs. Commanders
Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season will conclude with another Monday Night Football doubleheader, as the Bills face off against the Falcons and the Bears take on the Commanders. Up first, Josh Allen and Buffalo (4-1) will visit Atlanta looking to bounce back from their first loss in a Week 6 upset against the Patriots. They'll face Bijan Robinson and the rested Falcons (2-2), who are coming off their bye in search of some momentum after a seesaw of a start to the year. Game 2 will see Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft, battle it out for the second time in their young careers. What will Round 2 have in store? Well, if it's anything like last year's meeting, fans could be in for more drama after witnessing the now-memorable […]
Underdog Fantasy Promo Code ‘FOXSPORTS’ Unlocks Play $5, Get $100 for MNF Doubleheader
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.Week 6 of the NFL ends with another Monday Night Football doubleheader, and Underdog has you covered on all the action.The Atlanta Falcons host the Buffalo Bills at 7:15pm ET. The second game of the night is a rematch of one of the memorable moments of last season. The Chicago Bears take on the Washington Commanders at 8:15 p.m. ET.Josh Allen is 1-0 against the Falcons in his career, with that one win coming back in the 2021 season— when he led the Bills to a 3-1 record against NFC South teams.After a game-winning Hail Mary catch from Noah Brown, the Commanders surged to the NFC Championship while the loss […]
Monday Night Football prediction, odds, spread, time: Bears vs. Commanders picks by expert on 31-17 roll
The Chicago Bears look to win their third game in a row when they battle the Washington Commanders in a key NFC matchup on 'Monday Night Football.' Chicago is coming off a 25-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 28 after a last-minute blocked field goal, while Washington downed the Los Angeles Chargers 27-10 on Sunday. The Bears (2-2), who are fourth in the NFC North, are 1-1 on the road this season. The Commanders (3-2), who are second in the NFC East, are 2-0 on their home field. Washington has some concerns at receiver with Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) ruled out and Deebo Samuel (heel) listed as questionable, though he's reportedly set to play.Kickoff from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Washington leads the all-time series 28-25-1, including last […]
NFL bans Lions’ Branch for one game after punching opponent
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch has been banned for one game without pay by the NFL after he punched Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in an incident that set off a post-game scuffle. NFL vice president of football operations, Jon Runyan, wrote in a letter to Branch: "Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players."Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game."Branch - who can appeal the suspension - is poised to miss the Lions' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday. The 23-year-old will be eligible to re-join the active roster the following day. Image: Branch will miss the Lions' game with Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Monday Branch: I did a little […]
Papers: Arsenal suffer fresh Odegaard blow as timeline revealed
The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...THE TIMES Martin Odegaard is expected to miss another six weeks with the knee injury he suffered against West Ham United. Image: Martin Odegaard suffered the injury in a first-half collision at the Emirates Stadium THE DAILY MAILNewcastle United have reached out to FIFA following an injury setback for Yoane Wissa. Image: Yoane Wissa poses for photographs after signing for Newcastle United THE SUN Chelsea striker David Fofana has been ordered to pay a total of £12,130 after driving his Cadillac Escalade without a valid licence or insurance. Former Leicester defender and Premier League winner Christian Fuchs was spotted in the stands at Newport County - sparking talk that he could be joining the coaching team.THE GUARDIANUEFA is planning to give clubs more time to resolve potential multiclub ownership (MCO) issues next […]
Be the first to leave a comment