Paige Bueckers Predicted to Win Major WNBA Honor by League GMs

For former UConn star Paige Bueckers, the transition to life as a pro basketball player figures to be a rocky one.

While she is getting accustomed to life in a new city--Dallas--she is also preparing for the reality that, coming off a national championship with the Huskies, things might not go so well in the standings for her new team, the Wings, in Year 1.

After all, this team was 9-31 last year, which is how they got the No.

1 pick and the right to choose Bueckers to begin with.

An overhaul of the coaching staff and front office could help, as well as the signing of defensive stalwart Dijonai Carrington, but the rebuilding of the Wings probably won't happen overnight.

During Bueckers' time in Storrs, which includes a missed season because of knee surgery, Connecticut posted a record of 159-23, and won a championship.

She's prepared for more of an uphill climb, but says keeping the chemistry with her new teammates strong will be a key.

Paige Bueckers on the orange carpet before the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.Mandatory Credit Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesI played against some of them through USA Basketball, just through college basketball and high school, so just to have that, and we're all friends, we're all cool in the basketball world, so obviously when you're on the same team youre closer, but it's really fun.

I think chemistry, like you said, it is very underrated part of basketball," Bueckers said.

"So in order to build that, come in and try to earn everybody's respect.

I stay connected with everybody, it makes things a lot easier.It will also be easier if, in fact, Bueckers lives up to the reputation she is bringing with her as the No.

1 pick.

The WNBA released its poll of general managers on Thursday, and there is a strong consensus that she will do just that.

When asked to pick this year's Rookie of the Year, a whopping 73% went with Bueckers.

No.

2 pick Dominique Malonga of the Storm was second in the poll.

But, when asked, which rookie will be the best player in five years, the vote swapped--Malonga--the 6-foot-6 Frenchwoman who was born in Cameroon--was first on that question, and Bueckers second.

Bueckers and the Wings begin their season on Friday night against the Minnesota Lynx, the West's defending champs..

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