The UConn Huskies not only won the most NCAA championships, but also provided the most talent to the WNBA. It stands first with 50+ WNBA draftees. Tennessee comes second with 44 players. More specifically, the Huskies also had six (most) top picks in WNBA history, which includes the 2025 rookie Paige Bueckers.
It’s natural to compare these players, as Bueckers also followed the tradition of dominating the league with her elite plays. Bueckers also wants to draw on UConn roots to forge a winning culture with the Dallas Wings. On Kylie Kelce’s ‘Not Gonna Lie’ podcast, the player opened up on former UConn players she can compare herself to.
Paige Bueckers Compares Herself To UConn Legends
Kylie Kelce always asks questions that many fans have in their minds. So with the Wings’ guard on the podcast, the host didn’t waste an opportunity and asked her to compare herself with other UConn stars who played in the league.
“DT [Diana Taurasi] is one, definitely, just in terms of her being one of the greatest of all time,” Bueckers said. “Sue Bird is one, [I have] a little bit of Maya Moore. Maya was way more athletic than me, but it was her ability to get to her spots on her floor and shoot in the mid-range.”
She even compared her midrange prowess with some of the NBA legends as she first pointed to Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, highlighting the two players’ shared shooting and finishing skillsets. Then she added a host of other megastars like Devin Booker, Kobe Bryant, and Chris Paul. The player already mentioned that she is looking to add Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bump pull-up to unlock next-level WNBA dominance.
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Comparing her with UConn greats, the 2025 rookie showcased a mix of every UConn star in her play. Paige Bueckers’ 2,439 career points rank third in program history, only behind Moore and Stewart. But her 477 points in the NCAA Tournament lead any current or former UConn player
Geno Auriemma called Bueckers ‘Dence the Menace’ but is his favorite ‘child’ of them all. Even though these former stars proved themselves on the floor and won multiple titles for the franchise and country, there is one record that PB set for the program that no one else has.
Paige Bueckers’ WNBA Accolade Sets Rare Feat For UConn
The Wings’ guard earned the Rookie of the Year accolade following her all-around performance in the league. While this was the seventh UConn star winning the Rookie award, she set a unique record with her win.
As it happened, UConn’s Steven Castle also won the Rookie of the Year award in the NBA, and the duo handed a record to the program, becoming the first school with two Rookie of the Year winners in the same year.
UCONN is the first school to produce the NBA & WNBA ROTY in the same season 😤🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 16, 2025
🐾 2025 NBA ROTY: Stephon Castle
🐾 2025 WNBA ROTY: Paige Bueckers
(h/t @TheHuskyReport_) pic.twitter.com/BKo4w6Lp7N
The player is currently shining in the Unrivaled league, too, and could win her first MVP award. While the awards and praises follow the Wings’ rookie, it’s important that the franchise also provide her with a potent support cast in the league.