Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers will be under the bright lights anew when she plays in her first-ever WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge in Indianapolis on Sunday. It’s the latest accolade in her fast-rising ascent in women’s basketball.
Bueckers is one of three newcomers who will suit up in the midseason showcase, along with Washington Mystics teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. It is the first time since 2011 that three rookies are playing in the star-studded affair.
Paige Bueckers On First WNBA All-Star Game
Bueckers was voted by fans as one of the starters. She will play for Team Collier after Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, one of the team captains, along with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, drafted her as the last pick among the starters.
The 23-year-old arrived in Indianapolis on Thursday ahead of the start of the high-profile festivities on Friday and shared her true feelings about playing in her maiden WNBA All-Star Game, where she will play alongside veteran stars, including Collier, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, among others.
“Feeling blessed, I’m very thankful to be here. It’s just a crazy experience just living out my childhood dream. So, happy to be here,” said Bueckers in a video posted by the WNBA.
Bueckers, who was recently praised by Fever coach Stephanie White, also talked about her outfit. She sported a patterned knitted vest and cream-colored pants with patches.
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“This is a top-to-bottom Marni fit, Prada shoes. Shoutout The GOAT, Brittney, (she) put it together,” added the Wings star, referring to her stylist, Brittney Hampton.
Talk about arriving in style.
Paige Bueckers’ First Season In The WNBA
Bueckers was the Wings’ easy choice as the top overall pick of this year’s draft after a stellar career at the University of Connecticut. She helped lead the Huskies to the national title in her farewell year.
So far, she has lived up to the hype. She is averaging team-highs of 18.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals. The wins, however, have been hard to come by for the Wings, who are currently sitting on a 6-17 win-loss record. It is the second-worst in the league, trailing only the Connecticut Sun.
Bueckers and Dallas can still squeeze into the playoffs, but they have to find immediate solutions when the second half of the season commences.
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