Dallas reels from Luka Dončić’s loss, but hope rises as Paige Bueckers joins the Wings to battle Caitlin Clark’s reign.

In a year when basketball fans in Dallas felt they lost everything with Luka Donicic‘s departure, a new star has emerged to light up the city: Paige Bueckers, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings. The announcement, made at the New York gala, was staged as a surprise, but everyone knew it was coming.

UConn's Paige Bueckers goes No. 1 to Dallas Wings in WNBA Draft

Paige Bueckers legs tremble from vertigo atop the Empire State during WNBA Draft moment

The No. 1 Pick in the WNBA Draft

Doncic releases emotional farewell message to Dallas after trade sends him  to Lakers

Last November, the Dallas Wings won the draft lottery, securing the top spot. Despite rumors that Bueckers, UConn‘s standout point guard, might prefer another team, she squashed those speculations during her pursuit of a national championship, expressing enthusiasm for Dallas.

Paige Bueckers goes No. 1 to Dallas Wings in 2025 WNBA draft

When WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Paige Bueckers’ name, it fulfilled the moment fans had awaited-though hardly a shock. Hours earlier, the Wings’ official social media account dropped a teaser image captioned, “5 hours until a new page,” unmistakably referring to Paige.