“No Surprise: Paige Bueckers Chosen First in WNBA Draft by Dallas”

Paige Bueckers Starts WNBA Journey as No. 1 Pick by Dallas Wings After UConn Title Run

NEW YORK (AP) — Paige Bueckers capped off a whirlwind week, going from NCAA champion with UConn to the WNBA’s No. 1 draft pick, selected by the Dallas Wings.

“I’m just extremely excited to be there. I’ve only heard great things about the city,” Bueckers said about joining Dallas. “So excited to start that new chapter and be in a new city and explore that and give everything I have to the Wings organization. I know we’re going to do great things, and it’s a fresh start, and I think we’re all ready to do something special.”

The versatile UConn star continues the Huskies’ legacy of producing top WNBA talent, joining the ranks of Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart as No. 1 overall picks.  

Since UConn’s championship victory on April 6th, Bueckers has been juggling media appearances in New York and Connecticut, including talk show appearances and the Huskies’ championship parade on Sunday.

“I’m glad New York and Storrs are pretty close to each other because there’s been a lot of back and forth,” Bueckers noted, expressing a mix of excitement for her professional future and a tinge of sadness leaving her college team.

Bueckers shared her draft night with her UConn teammates and coach Geno Auriemma, who were present in the audience at The Shed in New York. She became emotional when speaking about the bond with her former teammates. “They mean everything to me. They helped me get through highs and lows,” Bueckers said.

Following Dallas’ selection, the Seattle Storm chose 19-year-old French sensation Dominique Malonga as the No. 2 pick. The 6-foot-6 Malonga, a silver medalist with the French Olympic team, is the highest-drafted French player since 1997. “I was so proud to achieve that goal,” Malonga said, highlighting the growth of French basketball.  

The Washington Mystics, under new leadership, made Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron their first pick at No. 3, followed by Southern Cal’s Kiki Iriafen at No. 4. They later added Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore with the sixth pick, whose draft night outfit was styled by NBA star Russell Westbrook. Amoore praised Westbrook’s involvement and the unique opportunity.

In a historic moment for the league’s newest team, the expansion Golden State Valkyries selected Juste Jocyte of Lithuania with their inaugural draft pick.

Connecticut utilized consecutive picks to add LSU’s Aneesah Morrow at No. 7 and N.C. State’s Saniya Rivers at No. 8. The Los Angeles Sparks picked Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker at No. 9, while the Chicago Sky drafted Ajsa Sivka from Slovenia at No. 10 and TCU’s Hailey Van Lith next. The Dallas Wings concluded the first round by selecting Aziah James of N.C. State.  

Notably, six teams – New York, Indiana, Minnesota, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Las Vegas (who forfeited their pick due to league violations) – did not have selections in the first round, underscoring the impact of past trades and league sanctions on the draft landscape.