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Paige Bueckers is officially a Dallas Wing, and in a city known for its rich basketball history, she’s the brightest new face in town.
The Wings selected the University of Connecticut guard, who has been a household name in women’s basketball since her high school days, as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.
But this wasn’t just a pick. It was a statement. A franchise-altering moment. One that signals a new era for the Wings and for Dallas basketball.
Coming off a 9-31 season, the Wings were at rock bottom. But with that low point came opportunity. They secured a generational talent, a poised and battle-tested leader with the potential to be the Wings’ savior and one of the greatest to ever step on a WNBA court.
Bueckers entered the draft as the consensus No. 1 pick after a season in which she averaged 19 points, four rebounds and four assists while leading UConn to a national championship.
Only 40 days after UConn rose the trophy Bueckers will play her first WNBA game. This raises concerns as we’ve seen stars like Caitlin Clark struggle to adapt with so little time. It’s fair to expect Bueckers to experience that same adjustment period.
Her numbers speak for themselves but it’s her intangibles that truly set her apart. Her basketball IQ, court vision, ability to elevate her teammates and calm presence in high-pressure moments make her a rare kind of leader.
For years, the Wings have quietly operated in the shadows of bigger-market teams, but this move immediately puts the Wings in playoff contention.
Pairing Bueckers with All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale creates one of the most exciting backcourts in the league, blending elite scoring and playmaking.
Add in key offseason acquisitions NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington, and Dallas suddenly has the pieces to compete and make a real playoff run.
Her arrival is already creating waves with ticket prices booming. The Wings versus the Indiana Fever game on June 27 is drawing so much attention it had to be moved to the American Airline Center.
The tickets prices range from $164 to $3,494. These are unprecedent numbers for a league that just two years ago was seen as a laughingstock. For reference the cheapest tickets for Dallas Mavericks games in the same arena range from $80 to $1,000.
But her impact reaches further than monitory gains, especially when it comes to the next generation. Young girls across the city and state now have someone to look up to in real time. They can see a young, confident, talented player making headlines, filling arenas and inspiring change.
The city of Dallas is still recovering from a Luka Dončić trade that sent the home-grown superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers killing basketball culture in the process and turning many fans off from basketball.
Now, the Wings have a player who can help define a new legacy, one built around belief, determination and inspiration.
This moment is bigger than basketball. It’s about showing what is possible when talent meets opportunity and when a city is ready to embrace something new.
This isn’t just a win for the Wings. It’s a win for Dallas. And it’s a win for every young girl who dares to dream.