In a familiar setting, Paige Bueckers secured her first WNBA victory, marking a significant milestone in her young career. The Dallas Wings’ star player, selected first overall in the draft, arrived at the match after a streak of four consecutive losses, the longest she could remember in her sporting career.
Bueckers Shines in Connecticut
Bueckers led her team with an outstanding performance, scoring 21 points, her season-best, in the Wings’ victory over Connecticut with a score of 109-87.It was great to play as a team like that and, obviously, that environment is special to me. Playing as a team like that and completing the 40 minutes. … I felt good being out there.
Paige Bueckers
The game held special significance for Bueckers, as it marked her return to Connecticut, the state where she won her twelfth collegiate national championship with the Huskies nearly two months ago.
Additionally, this victory maintained Bueckers’ undefeated streak at the Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Connecticut team plays its home games. During her time at UConn, Bueckers amassed a 15-0 record in this arena, including four Big East championships.
I don’t think I’ve ever lost here. I was trying to bring that into tonight.
Paige Bueckers
The atmosphere at the game was similar to a home game for Bueckers, who received a warm ovation from the crowd, most of whom were wearing UConn or Dallas jerseys with her number 5.
Bueckers showed his worth from the start, adding seven points and four assists in the first quarter, and finished the first half with 15 points, solidifying the Wings’ dominance.She keeps doing things that should surprise, but they don’t. I stop to appreciate the type of player and, even more, the type of person she is.
Chris Koclanes, Wings Coach
Image description: With the Wings’ victory on Tuesday, Paige Bueckers maintained her undefeated streak at the Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Connecticut team plays its home games. She had a 15-0 record in the arena, including four Big East championships while playing for UConn.
The player also shared on Instagram a moving surprise meeting organized by Verizon, in which she met with people who have benefited from a project against food insecurity that Bueckers started in Minnesota in 2022.
As a Chegg ambassador, Bueckers has worked to raise awareness about student hunger, a problem that worsened during the pandemic.
Coach Koclanes has highlighted Bueckers’ maturity on and off the court, as well as his commitment to developing leadership skills.It was a total surprise, just that they brought those people who have been part of my history and my journey. It means a lot to give back, to see the impact firsthand. It’s truly inspiring. I was extremely grateful for that.
Paige Bueckers
She really wants to be a great leader and is dedicating time to develop those skills to help this culture and her teammates as a rookie. That’s been really impressive on the court. I think you take for granted some of the things she’s able to do. But she’s very high IQ, she’s grasped concepts and readings very early. And then it’s just, you know, she’ll adapt to the physicality.
Chris Koclanes, Wings Coach
The Dallas Wings will return to Connecticut on June 20 for their second and final game of the season.
