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Alexa Philippou
Ten days ago, Paige Bueckers After the lead cut off a piece of network in Tampa Amalie Arena Uconn Huskies The national championship is the first program in nine years.
Eight days later – as several trips from Storrs, Connecticut, to New York between – Bueckers heard her name called as the first selection Dallas Wings In the design of WNBA 2025. When she was introduced by the Commissioner of WNBA Cathy Engelbert, she was officially spread as a Dallas wing.
“You only have a level of excitement, nervousness, a bitter feeling knowing that my journey in Uconno ended,” said Bueckers, “but excited that another started.”
Life in women’s basketball becomes fast – and the storm does not stop here for the latest star of Dallas. The training camp begins 27 April and in four weeks Bueckers debuts when the wings open the season at home 16. May against Minnesota lynxThe ruling final final of the WNBA.
What are the realistic expectations of the first year for Bueckers? And what could her long -term ceiling be as a professional? ESPN spoke with six general managers throughout the league, plus the CEO of Dallas Curt Miller and Wings Coach Chris Koclanes to get his thoughts on Bueckers’ future.
Consensus? There’s a lot. As one CEO said: “I think he can immediately affect the league … can be immediately dangerous.”
WNBA GMS sees Bueckers as a high IQ player who is not just an effective three -level shooter, but as a willing passersby who can affect the game in many ways.
“She understands the game. Her IQ is very high. She comes from the winning program and all these things are translated when you have more instruments like her,” said one GM. “It could be 1: 9 of the field, but have eight assists. Most people can’t turn the switch. When you have more skills like her, it allows you to assimilate it faster.
“She’s not Caitlin clark“It is built differently, but it can improve people and is hypercompetitive and can get to its places at the same time. And it will have even more weapons in our league, so its playing will be even more exposed.”
The size of the Bueckers size (listed as 6 feet) and a diverse skill set should provide its position all-round in professionals: can play either a point guard or even a small forward in some cases) for wings, although more GMS said that long-term homosexual, sees more as a point guard.
“If you look at what he can do and how it does and how effective it is,” said one GM, “That’s what could be one of the giants they play.”
In year 1, Bueckers’ role will be determined by the head coach of the first year of Koclanes and its employees because they are trying to get the most out of the list of new appearances-which also boasts one of the best WNBA shooters in WNBA Ariko (20.6 ppg in his career).
With Ogunbowale also capable of playing both guard positions, Dallas will have the flexibility of using his backcourt. Koclanes could decide to keep Bueckers more like a newcomer, because it would reduce the pressure to face opposing defense.
“I think what makes her special is that she can fill in the gap and can fill in any gap,” Koclanes said on Monday evening. “We can put it on the ball, we can put it off the ball, and she will be just as good, equally effective, equally effective, and most importantly, as willing. And I think it speaks of her universal. I am excited as a coach so I can talk to her and find out what work.”
Among the intangible animals that GMS pointed out could be done to the next level: leadership, Poise and maturity have evolved from having to overcome adversity during their university career. One GM said he would never get too high or too low, and he should help Bueckers stay in the course especially in the first year.
Bueckers was pushed for almost two years in Uconn with knee injuries – tibial plateau and meniscus Tears in 2021 and ACL Tear in 2022 – but completed time in Storrs with two healthy times, during which she played the best basketball.
Most GMS said its history of injury is something needed, but not too concerned. When she rehabilitated her ACL injury, Bueckers began to work with Susan King Borchardt, a specialist in the performance of the performance that works with a number of WNBA stars; Now Bueckers will have more time than ever to take care of his body, GMS emphasized.
“Not,” one GM said about whether injuries were a reason for concern. “Like who she cares about, how much injuries she had? Is strange.”
But that was not a universal faith.
“My only concern about Paige is physical,” another GM said. “It is quite slight; it is a little knock-raised. There is a level of physicality you have to get used to playing in professionals I think could take a toll for it, and then only its physical ability to endure over the years. You have seen injuries in Connecticut.”
Another GM added: “Her strength is probably an opportunity for her because it is for so many players coming to the league.”
The acclimatization to the physicality of professional basketball is usually one of the largest learning curves for newcomers. This and a game that moves too fast was aspects that Clark had to get used to last season on the way to earn the selection of the first All-waita team.
GMS said that the crossing for Bueckers is unlikely to vary, especially as selection No. 1, which are particularly motivated to lock.
“I expect the same learning curve as we saw with Clark,” one GM said. “Finding out the game for, covering it, settlement with (athletes) larger, faster, stronger than collegial players will be challenges.”
Another GM pointed out that Bueckers could be more assertive at the offensive end, and the “selfish” coach of Geno Auriemma asked her to accept during her college career.
“I think he’ll always fight it. People who are like that usually do,” GM said. “It’s as if they don’t have too much zeal,” I will be over everyone (one). “It’s selfishness to be a great player.
It may also take time to get used to the defense of professionals. One GM described Bueckers as “good but not excellent” at this end of the floor due to its size and effort. The question is how fast Bueckers can adjust in the middle of the plan of 44 games.
“It’s really hard to influence the game like a newcomer,” GM said. “What Caitlin did last year is so strange and unique. Paige is a special player … I think he will be a good player this year, but I do not expect the impact of similar caitlin. And this is an unfair bar.”
Like no. 1 Choose with the UConn family tree and already considerable follow, expectations will be high for Bueckers. But after watching it during this season, wings see players built for this type of burden.
“I think it is rather intangible and the way he can do everything with such gratitude and grace is simply very impressive,” Koclanes said.
Miller added, “I’m not sure there was more pressure on the players to win the National Championship to define her link more than what Paige had to feel … to watch how the pressure she had to feel this year was really strange.”
In Dallas, the Bueckers will not be tasked to supply the entire organization with one hand, especially the one that won only nine games last season.
Miller reworked this winter and brought a group of newcomers Dijons Carrington, Tyasha Harris, Nalssa Smith and Myisha Hines-Alllen Before elaboration of Bueckers, Aziaha James, Madison Scott, Jj quinerly and Aaronette sonsh. However, the journey to Play -OFF is far from guaranteed – many teams have equalized this offseason with big agency movements – and it will probably take time for Dallas players to get used to the Koclanos and Each Ender.
“If she is in a selfless team like her, then she gets the opportunity to be as good as her. If she’s on a selfish team, then Paige won’t even have a chance to be who she is,” Auriemma said. “So I think it will be a lot that he will have to work hard, and I think the team has to adapt to it. It’s a two -way street.”
Either way, there is a sentiment around the league, which will undoubtedly improve Dallas.
“There is no doubt that it is stronger and more competitive,” one GM said. “I think they have a real opportunity to make some noise in Dallas.”
Added another: “I think she’s different (than Clark), but I think he can carry franchise.”
Most importantly, with a combination of Bueckers’ gaming and following the court has the opportunity to revive the wings.
“People who are in these roles and want to be purely basketball people, always say that you have to go right out of someone’s talent and try to ignore the hype or buzz,” GM said. “But I think it’s a kind of bull —.
“Realistically speaking, there is energy about some players who can really help revive your franchise. And I think Paige has such a quality for her, between her following, the way her teammates react to her. For young player she has an aura that could really help franchise in and outside.”
While all the eyes will be on Dallas to see the Bueckers doing well in the first year, her newcomer season could eventually be a remark under her career before everything is said and done. GMS agreed that the Bueckers was supposed to be a great professional player with a decorated career. As for its final trajectory? There’s room for debate.
“If she can stay healthy, she should be a star,” one GM said. “I think the ceiling of MVP,” another said. “I don’t think it’s as obvious as A’Ja (Wilson) or Caitlin, but I think it’s right behind them. … I think Paige has just a little more selfish to get to this level.”
And the most forecast? “Long-term ceiling-bee Hall of Famer.”
