NBA Reacts to WNBA’s Paige Bueckers Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 5:02 PM ET

The Dallas Wings made the most unsurprising decision by selecting UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Bueckers now becomes the face of the Wings franchise for years to come after a legendary career at UConn, one which ended with a national title.

During Wednesday's introductory press conference, Wings general manager Curt Miller was over the moon with his excitement about Bueckers coming to Dallas, even saying she is "one special player and special addition to Dallas."

He also called her "one of the most decorated collegiate players," so there is a ton of buzz around the franchise.

The WNBA X account posted a clip of the Wings' 2025 draftees standing with cowboy hats, and it included Bueckers.

After that, the NBA account reacted accordingly with a message as Bueckers was officially introduced to her WNBA team.

"Cowboy hats secured. Welcome to Dallas...@paigebueckers1 and Co."

Cowboy hats secured.

Welcome to Dallas... @paigebueckers1 and Co. https://t.co/flptBqF4Ve
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2025

The cowboy hat was a gift for Bueckers and others during the introductory press conference, so they are wasting no time fitting in with the Dallas culture.

It's been quite the month for Bueckers, who won a title with UConn in the 2025 NCAA Tournament on April 6 with an 82-59 win over South Carolina.

Then, she was drafted No. 1 overall. To go further, Bueckers’ hometown of Hopkins , Minnesota, has named May 16th as Paige Bueckers Day and the town will be called Paige Bueckers on that day.

The Bueckers craze is only beginning in the WNBA and Dallas.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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