UConn’s Paige Bueckers was chosen first in general Dallas Wings in the WNBA design
Paige Bueckers became the latest UConn player, who was first selected in the WNBA design when Dallas Wings announced a 23 -year -old guard in New York.
“Just a stunning feeling of gratitude,” said Bueckers ESPN. “It’s surrealistic that I’m here with other invitations to suggest. … To be here right now, I’m just very blessed.”
Bueckers is the sixth player of UConn to be selected first in the WNBA design. She joined the legendary Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011) and Breanna Stewart (2016).
Bueckers reduced her university career by leading UConn to the national title of 2025. It was three times all-American, the national player of the year in 2021 and one of the most popular players in women’s basketball.
Bueckers is a stellar three -point shooter who made 42.3 % (236 out of 558) her experiments in her four seasons with Huskies. It had career averages of 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assistance and 2.1 assistance.
“Everyone invested me a lot and some wanted to give me back to them and show that I could be better and how all their hard work helped me to get into this phase,” Bueckers said. “I didn’t do it myself, it took the village.”
Seattle Storm had a second option and chose 6ft 6in Dominique Malonga from France.
Twenty -year -old helped France to win the Olympic silver medal 2024 in Paris and played professionally in France.
“I will work very hard to fit into this league,” said Malonga, who was born in Cameroon. “I know it will be hard, I know it will be difficult, but I’m ready to work.”
The Washington Mystics had three of the next four selections and selected Notre Dame Sonia Lemon, South California ahead of Kiki Iriafen and Kentucky Point Guard Georgia Amoore.
Lemon, which costs 6 feet 1in, on this season on 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Total selection No. 3 is also a standout defender.
“I will work hard and I am still trying to improve,” Cintron said. “I have in this league that I have to learn. I will continue to play both sides of the ball and I will be myself.”
6ft 3in Iriafen became the fourth overall. This season was an average of 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds.
“I was just resistant,” Iriafen said.
2025 WNBA proposal results
First round
1. Wings – G Paige Bueckers, Uconn
2. Storm – C Dominique Malong, France
3. Mystics – G Sonia Lemon, Notre Dame
4. MYSTICS – F KIKI IRIAFEN, USC
5. Valkyries – G JUTE JOCYTE, Lithuan
6. MYSTICS – G Georgia amoore, Kentucky
7. To – f anestah Morrow, LSU
8. Sun – F Saniya Rivers, NC State
9. Sparks – G Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alabama
10. Sky – F Ajsa Sivka, Slovenia
11. Sky – G Hailey van lith, TCU
12. Wings – G Aziha James, NC State
Second round
13. Alia – Gararia tothia.
14. Wings – G/F Madison Scott, Ole Miss
15. LYNX – F Anastasiia Olairi Kos, Russia
16. Sky – F Maddy Westbeld, Notre Dame
17. Valkyries – G Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
18. Dream – G Te -Gray refused, South Carolina
19. Fever – F Makayla Timpson, Florida State
20. Fever – G Bree Hall, South Carolina
21. Sparks – F Sania Feagin, South Carolina
22. Sky – G AICHA COULIBALY, Texas A&M
23. Mystics – G Lucy Olsen, Iowa
24. LYNX – F DALAYAH Daniels, Washington
25. Sun – CF Rayah Marshall, South California
Third round
26. Storm – G Serena Sundell, Kansas State
27. Sparks – G JJ Quinerly, West Virginia
28. Sparks – F Liata King, Notre Dame
29. Storm – G Madison Conner, TCU
30. Valkyries – G Kaitlyn Chen, Uconn
31. Wings – C Aaronette vonleh, Baylor
32. Mystics – G Zaay Green, Alabama
33. Fever – f yvonne ejim, gonzaga
34. Storm – G Jordan Hobbs, Michigan
35. Aces – G Harmoni Turner, Harvard
36. Dream – F Taylor Thierry, Ohio State
37. LYNX – F AUBREY GRIFFIN, UCONN
38. Liberty – F Adva Kane, France
