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Sep 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates after the game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images \/ Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know Paige Bueckers, everybody,” Wade said. “I\u2019m just a real big fan. But like she just looked cool to me, bro. Like, I want to be her friend. She just looked that kind\u00a0of cool. It\u2019s just the beginning of her pro career and all the awards that she\u2019s going to be up for.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wade says Bueckers’ recognition is well-deserved, proclaiming her as a possible future WNBA GOAT.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, just the way\u00a0she\u00a0played the game,” Wade said. “It\u2019s seamless. It\u2019s effortless. You know what I mean? And I just can\u2019t wait to continue to watch the journey.<\/p>\n
Wade was even more impressed with the way she uses her self-confidence to win at all costs, highlighting a now-viral video with Kelsey Plum<\/a> that made him a fan of Bueckers.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Paige Bueckers earns praise from Dallas Wings teammate<\/a><\/p>\n Sep 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) defends Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) as she drives to the basket during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images \/ Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n “I remember the clip that went viral where she was talking to Kelsey Plum about, \u2018I will put you right there on that block and I\u2019m going to hit you and I\u2019m going to go over top of you on the shoulder,\u2019 right?\u2019 She was letting her know,\u201d Wade said.<\/p>\n Wade remembered freaking out after watching the clip, revealing that he was instantly seeking out Bueckers after having little idea who she was.<\/p>\n “So it was really cool because at the time it was like, who is this little cocky rookie coming in telling Kelsey that, \u2018I\u2019ll put your little bitty ass on that block?’\u201d Wade said.<\/p>\n Bueckers wound up winning the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Award despite the Wings continuing to struggle in the win-loss column. The offseason is now fully underway, as Bueckers has a chance to elevate her game and become one of Dallas’ most sought-after athletes, regardless of sport.<\/p>\n For Wade, though, he has grown to like Bueckers with the potential of a friendship taking off in the near future.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Paige Bueckers joins icons in WNBA history after winning Rookie of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n