Soon-to-be second-year guard Paige Bueckers is already soaking up the offseason, but is doing so in a way one might not expect from one of the Dallas Wings’ biggest stars, alongside being a key face of the WNBA.<\/p>\n
Attending sporting events in the Dallas area is something Bueckers has grown accustomed to as of late as she continues to build her brand as not just a star athlete but someone the Dallas community can rally around.<\/p>\n
One of those stars she is aiming to connect with as a feature mentor is Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, with whom Bueckers has grown friendly with over the last year or so.<\/p>\n
Bueckers previously told PEOPLE Magazine how much she has grown personally thanks to Irving\u2019s help.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been my player growing up, and I\u2019d always looked up to him, and he has just like a really unique journey and story,\u201d Bueckers said<\/a>. \u201cI feel like he\u2019s misunderstood sometimes. And for me, for him to still be authentically himself and not care about other people\u2019s opinions \u2014 that\u2019s something I really admired growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n Bueckers followed up Monday night when she attended the Dallas Mavericks\u2019 preseason opener and was spotted interacting with Irving courtside.<\/p>\n \u201cHe really cares about the next generation and women\u2019s basketball,\u201d Bueckers said. \u201cHe\u2019s always been supportive, and it means so much coming from someone like him.\u201d<\/p>\n Bueckers later revealed how she and Irving initially connected, as it was more so by chance than anything else.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just through social media,\u201d Bueckers said Monday. \u201cHe kinda reached out and just offered the support and just offered sort of like a mentorship position for me. He\u2019s my favorite basketball player ever. He\u2019s just an amazing, genuine human being.\u201d<\/p>\n Paige on Kyrie:<\/p>\n “It was just through social media. He kinda reached out and just offered the support and just offered sort of like a mentorship position for me. He’s my favorite basketball player ever. He’s just an amazing genuine human being”pic.twitter.com\/GGTcM4noqT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s safe to assume that, given their friendship, Bueckers will likely be seen at more Dallas-based sporting events. This past Saturday, Bueckers was present on the sideline at the TCU-Colorado football game. The Horned Frogs (4-1) outlasted Deion Sanders\u2019 Buffaloes (2-4) 35-21 to give them their first conference win of the season.<\/p>\n Paige Bueckers is in the house for Colorado vs TCU \ud83d\ude4c pic.twitter.com\/qm9X8wB314<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n As of now, though, Bueckers\u2019 hype couldn\u2019t be more prevalent as she won the WNBA\u2019s Rookie of the Year Award this past season despite the Wings failing to make the postseason while needing to make a coaching change to continue what may be a long rebuild.<\/p>\n For now, though, Bueckers is continuing to enjoy her newfound professional spotlight.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Key Dallas Wings rookie undergoes offseason surgery<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0WingsGameday\u00a0for more\u00a0FREE coverage of the Dallas Wings<\/a>\u00a0throughout the offseason.<\/p>\n