In Dallas, Paige Bueckers is finding herself amidst a whirlwind of events, rapidly transitioning from basking in the glory of winning a national championship with UConn to being named the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, and now standing proudly at a podium adorned with a Stetson cowboy hat at Dallas City Hall.
โItโs been insane. Itโs been nonstop on the go, Iโm either doing something or packing,โ Bueckers shared recently. โOver the past few weeks, it has been a rush, but Iโve made a conscious effort to stay present, relishing my final days at UConn, cherishing those relationships and experiences, and of course, enjoying the draft.โ
The next chapter for Bueckers begins with the Dallas Wingsโ training camp starting this Sunday, bringing an air of anticipation for the new journey ahead. โVery excited for the next chapter,โ expressed the talented 23-year-old guard with enthusiasm.
Bueckers, along with four other players selected by the Wings on April 14, were officially introduced at a grand event in Dallas City Hall, attended by the mayor, city council, and various city workers, some perched from vantage points on the second and third floors to witness the proceedings.
โWell, it was Christmas nine days ago during the draft. Certainly, today feels like New Yearโs Eve or New Yearโs Day with all the optimism and momentum surrounding the Dallas Wings,โ remarked Curt Miller, the teamโs newly appointed general manager.
For Miller and the Wings, the choice of their top draft pick was always clear. โThe big picture is that we knew what that meantโฆ an exhilarating and monumental moment,โ Miller commented. โPaige has just come off a national championship win, sheโs one of the most celebrated collegiate players and one of the most proficient players in college basketball history.โ
Amidst the official declarations from the mayor, the Wings draftees, including Bueckers, were each presented with cowboy hats: Aziaha James, who was picked 12th overall from North Carolina State, Madison Scott picked 14th from Mississippi, JJ Quinerly selected 27th from West Virginia, and Aaronette Vonleh picked 31st from Baylor all shared in the tradition.
โEveryoneโs talked about just being part of a new family and embracing a new city. Dallas is an excellent sports town; you can already feel the warmth and support,โ Bueckers stated. โThere is so much new within this organization, so being part of something transformative and building together to create a new sisterhood is something special.โ
The press conference occurred only a few blocks away from the historic downtown arena undergoing extensive renovations to become the Dallas Wingsโ new home for the next season. However, for her debut season, Bueckersโ home games will take place roughly 20 miles away at the College Park Center at UT-Arlington, which has been the teamโs venue for their tenth and final season since they moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A special home game is scheduled for June 27, where the Wings will face Indiana and last yearโs No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark, at the arena where the NBAโs Dallas Mavericks play, marking a significant event.
A year earlier, the Dallas City Council had ratified a 15-year deal worth $19 million facilitating the teamโs forthcoming relocation to Dallas, along with approving a $7.7 million renovation for the arena that once hosted the Dallas Chaparrals from the ABA before they moved to San Antonio, transforming into the Spurs and joining the NBA after the ABAโs dissolution.
โWe stood right here in this building, proud to announce the eventual homecoming of the Dallas Wings to downtown Dallas,โ shared Mayor Eric Johnson enthusiastically. โSince then, excitement has only grown; the fan base has rallied. Today marks a crucial step forward. Welcome, everyone, to the future of Dallas sports.โ