In a night that belonged to her, Paige Bueckers showcased why she’s more than just a basketball phenom. Moments after being selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers immediately redirected the spotlight away from herself and toward her UConn teammates waiting in the draft.
The emotion was palpable as Bueckers addressed the media, her voice catching slightly when discussing her Husky family. While draft night traditionally centers on individual accomplishment, the 23-year-old guard demonstrated the leadership quality that makes her special — the ability to elevate others even in her moment of triumph.
A Leader Even in Her Crowning Moment
“They’ve changed my life, those are my sisters … just extremely grateful for them. I think two teams or one team would be genius to add Kaitlyn Chen and Aubrey Griffin to their team,” Bueckers said, her genuine emotion cutting through the typical draft night platitudes.
“I just love them so much, and they’re going to be my sisters for life.”
An emotional moment for Paige Bueckers talking about her former UConn teammates, including Azzi Fudd, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl showing support 🥲 pic.twitter.com/BFbuKY5ed9
— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) April 14, 2025
As UConn teammates pulled out their phones to capture Bueckers’ selection, the gesture was reciprocated through her words. In typical Bueckers fashion, when asked about her own future, she shifted focus to advocating for Chen, a former Princeton standout who transferred to UConn, and Griffin, a sixth-year forward who persevered through injuries.
Building a Legacy of Lifting Others
Social media quickly took notice of Bueckers’ selfless approach. “In a moment where Paige Bueckers could have talked about herself, she lifted up her teammates by telling teams they would miss out if they didn’t draft Aubrey and Kaitlyn. That’s MY GOAT for real,” noted a user on X.
“I just love them so much, and they’re going to be my sisters for life,” Bueckers shared in an emotional moment when discussing the UConn teammates who showed up to support her, including Fudd, Edwards and Muhl.
When asked about future WNBA matchups she anticipates, Bueckers again centered her response around relationships rather than rivalries. “All of my former teammates I used to play with … those are def the ones I’m most excited about,” she said, emphasizing connections over competition.
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This pattern of teammate advocacy has become Bueckers’ trademark. As one fan noted, despite having “the skill, the popularity and no doubt the demand,” Bueckers consistently uses her platform to ensure others receive recognition — a quality that will likely define her professional legacy as much as any on-court achievement.
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