Paige Bueckers. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kyrie Irving sends message to Wings' Paige Bueckers after WNBA Draft

By Kevin McCormick | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 3:02 PM ET

The WNBA world was buzzing Monday night as another highly-touted prospect officially joined the pros. Fresh off leading UConn to a national championship, Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 draft.

Bueckers has been one of the biggest names in college basketball and will now attempt to make her mark in the W. As expected, she was praised after her name was called on draft night.

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving was among those who congratulated Bueckers, saying he looks forward to seeing what's next in her basketball journey.

"I just wanted to take the time out to congratulate you on being drafted, especially to the Dallas Wings," Irving said. "I'm so excited for your journey ahead. So happy and proud of you."

From one 1st overall pick to another @paigebueckers1’s longtime favorite player @KyrieIrving welcomes her to Dallas. pic.twitter.com/7IMaxyelj8
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) April 15, 2025

Irving knows all about the expectations of being a top pick, as he was taken No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011. Seeing that he went on to become a superstar-level talent and deliver the franchise a championship, Bueckers hopes to have similar success with the Wings.

Like Caitlin Clark last year, big expectations await Bueckers in the WNBA. Joining a Wings team with the second-worst record in the league in 2024, Bueckers will be tasked with leading them back into contention.

In addition to an NCAA title, Bueckers put together one of the best campaigns of her college career this season. Across 38 games, she averaged 19.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.6 APG and 2.1 SPG.

With the draft behind her, Bueckers has a month to prepare for her WNBA debut.

Kevin McCormick

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer for Yardbarker with years of experience in the journalism field. Based out of Philadelphia, he graduated from Holy Family University with a degree in Sports Management in 2019. Since then, Kevin has gone on to build a career in sports writing

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