Former UConn Huskies guard and current Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers is garnering praise from figures in the WNBA due to her stellar play. On Monday, July 7, Phoenix Mercury assistant coach Megan Vogel was asked by WNBA reporter Dana Scott to compare Bueckers to Mercury legend Diana Taurasi, who retired in February of this year.
Vogel has been an assistant coach for the Green Bay Phoenix since 2013, and is now in her third year as an associate head coach. Throughout that span, she coached Taurasi, especially towards the end of her glorious career. Thus, she pointed out a few similarities between Bueckers and Taurasi.
“Both great players, phenomenal players. I saw DT towards the backend of her career last year, and then Paige is just beginning. But, just their ability to make tough baskets, to will themselves to get a shot when they want to get one. Paige has a bright, bright future in this league. She is going to continue to grow in their system,” Vogel said. “But, yeah, I mean, as far as just being able to score and get a tough basket, a lot of similarities between those two players.”
Mercury assistant coach Megan Vogel on similarities between Wings’ star rookie Paige Bueckers and Diana Taurasi:
“Just their ability to make tough baskets, to will themselves to get a shot when they want to get one. Paige has a bright, bright future in this league. pic.twitter.com/kW1HAtA0NQ
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) July 7, 2025
Vogel and the Mercury are set to host Bueckers and the Wings on Monday, July 7, at the PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mercury has a 12-6 record at the moment, while Dallas has a 6-13 record.
After her stellar career with the Huskies, Taurasi went on to become a three-time WNBA champion. She was the Finals MVP on two occasions. Bueckers would look to emulate that success.
Paige Bueckers And Diana Taurasi were National Champions with the UConn Huskies
Both Paige Bueckers and Diana Taurasi became NCAA champions during their time in college basketball with coach Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies. Bueckers won the national title in her final year after four years of vying for it when the Huskies defeated the 2024 national champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks, in the 2025 NCAA title game by 23 points, 82-59.
In Taurasi’s case, the now 43-year-old achieved a rare national championship three-peat from 2002 to 2004. Taurasi went on to become the first overall pick in the first round of the 2004 WNBA Draft, as the Phoenix Mercury selected her.
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