Paige Bueckers made history after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. She became the 6th UConn Husky to be picked first overall. Bueckers led the overpowered Huskies to the national championship in 2025 after an injury-prone start to her college basketball journey. Dallas Wings’ coach, Chris Koclanes, praised their new No. 1 pick by saying, “It’s incredible. Paige is one of a kind. She’s extremely unique, and it’s all credit to her. So, for me now in a position to be able to coach her and serve her, all I want to do is empower her to continue to be herself and enjoy this next chapter, and then support her.” Under all the praises lies an expectation from a to-be superstar.

Like every year, much speculation revolves around the newly drafted players’ performances, especially the top picks. Last year’s No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark, set very high standards. She managed to win the Rookie of the Year, made the All-WNBA First Team, and became an All-Star. She also broke the Rookie scoring record and became the First Rookie to score a triple-double.

Caitlin’s rise as a Rookie sets the bar unexceptionally high for Paige. She came out of college as the NCAA’s all-time lead scorer and two-time national player of the year. In her rookie season, she became the point guard with the most points in a season in the history of the WNBA. She also broke the single-season WNBA assists record.

Basketball analyst Rachel DeMita explained how unfair it would be to compare the two players. On her YouTube channel, while analyzing the draft, Rachel expressed, “I don’t think that we should have Paige on that kind of pedestal. I don’t think we should put that kind of pressure on Paige.” She got real about the Wings’ stacked backcourt, warning that Paige could get lost if Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington keep running the show.

She also added that “Paige Bueckers is stepping into this Dallas Wings, team where I’m not necessarily sure what her role is going to be like yet, but I surely hope that Dallas makes sure that she does not become a role player for this Dallas Wings team.”

ESPN’s Alexa Philippou questioned several of the league’s GMs about expectations from Bueckers. “It’s just really hard to impact the game as a rookie,” one GM said. “What Caitlin did last year is so special and unique. Paige is a special player … I think she’ll be a good player this year, but I’m not expecting a Caitlin-like impact. And that’s an unfair bar to set.”

Paige, undoubtedly, has earned several accolades of her own that merited her the No.1 overall pick. She was a three-time first-team All-American in college and holds UConn’s highest scoring average at 19.9 points per game. However, her resume dwarfs in comparison to the mammoth track record of Caitlin. The difference also lies in their style of play. Caitlin is a high-octane shooter with deep range and individualistic traits. Paige is an efficient and versatile two-way guard with equal scoring, passing, and defensive abilities and a team-first mindset. 

Clark’s College and WNBA teams did not have many other stars. This allowed Clark to express herself with the ball and break all kinds of records. Meanwhile, Bueckers was surrounded by teammates who were highly ranked and a couple of whom got drafted in later rounds. The Dallas Wings have recently acquired DiJonai who was the WNBA’s most improved player last year. Carrington, along with Wing’s star guard Ogunbowale, will probably be bringing the ball most of the time. Leaving little space for Bueckers to work with and possibly limiting her role in the starting phase of her WNBA career.

Unlike Clark, who was the Fever’s main engine, Paige is walking into a team with big personalities and a fast style that might not fit her game right away.

Bueckers will find it hard to fill the shoes of last year’s No. 1 pick. Nevertheless, she has shown exceptional talent and will no doubt be one to watch out for in the upcoming WNBA season.

The ‘Paige Effect’ Soars Wings’ Ticket Sales in Dallas

Paige Bueckers is yet to make her debut in the WNBA, but she is already making waves. Being selected No. 1 overall after a stellar run to win the national title has ignited a frenzy. The upper level of the College Park Center, hosting the league opener on 16th May between the Minnesota Lynx and the Dallas Wings, had to be opened.

The most anticipated matchup between Bueckers and her arch-rival, Caitlin Clark, has forced a venue change. The Wings traditionally play at UT Arlington’s home stadium. However, they have shifted their match against the Indiana Fever on June 27th to the American Airlines Center. The home of the Dallas Mavericks has a 20,000 seating capacity as compared to the 7,000 capacity of College Park Center.

Ticket sales for the opener surged following Paige’s draft, and the Clark-Paige showdown has become one of the hottest tickets of the season—some resale sites listing premium courtside seats for thousands of dollars, with general admission climbing past $250. The other difference comes in the prices of tickets, where the cheapest tickets on Ticketmaster clock in at $255 and courtside tickets are charting around $5,000. 

Clark supported the move by Dallas stating, “That arena is fun to play in: it’s small and it’s loud, but honestly, they should move the games to American Airlines because I think Paige has that type of draw. She’ll be able to bring those type of fans in.” Paige seems to be the next big thing in the WNBA. Her fandom is growing at an exceptional rate. Although she cannot escape comparison with Clark, she has a much-awaited year to prove her mettle.