While the Dallas Wings haven’t had much success this season, compiling a league-worst 9-30 record, it hasn’t been for a lack of effort from rookie superstar guard Paige Bueckers. Picked first in this year’s WNBA Draft, the former UConn standout has more than lived up to her top billing, averaging 19.0 points, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals this season.
Bueckers is expected to be named the Rookie of the Year when the season ends. But Dwyane Wade believes she is only scratching the surface.
Potential GOAT candidate?
Before anyone accuses Wade of jumping onto Bueckers’ bandwagon now that she has set the WNBA on fire with phenomenal play, the Miami Heat icon shared that he has always believed in her potential — especially after she had a breakout freshman season, averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.
“Paige Bueckers was the next one. When you think about the GOATs of the game — Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Lisa Leslie, Tina Charles, Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes — all the greats,” Wade relayed.
“To me, I was looking at Paige like, ‘Oooh, I think she’s going to be one of those GOATs,'” he added.
Bueckers’ journey to WNBA stardom has been marked with adversity, primarily due to numerous injuries, the most prominent of which was the ACL tear she suffered in August 2022, which caused her to redshirt a year. With her out of the picture, current Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark grabbed the spotlight and never let go.
“That opened up the window for Caitlin Clark. Now, Caitlin has always been a very good player. If you go back to high school, Caitlin was always in that top-five conversation with Angel, Paige, and all of them. But she wasn’t as known,” Wade remarked. “Then Paige had her injuries, and Caitlin had those amazing two years in college that everyone was able to watch. That’s when she skyrocketed to stardom.”
Bueckers fought her way back
Showing resilience beyond her years, Bueckers fought back and regained her lethal form, culminating in her collegiate career with a bang as she led the Huskies to the NCAA title. Not long after, Dallas selected her with the first pick, and she hasn’t looked back since.
“Now she’s back to the place we originally thought she was going to be,” Wade said. “I’m sure she went through some dark days. She’s been touted as a future GOAT for a long time and had to fight through adversity. To see her hooping the way she is right now, I’m so happy for her.”
Bueckers’ meteoric rise in the pro leagues also has WNBA fans excited for what’s to come. With Clark missing most of the season due to several injuries, Bueckers and other league stars have had to step up to keep interest in the league strong.
“You’ve got Caitlin, Paige, Arike (Ogunbowale), and others — all different, all unique. They bring something different to the game, play in different styles, and have their own brands. That’s what makes it so exciting right now,” Wade concluded.
The WNBA now finds itself at a fork in the road. With reports of a lockout possibly occurring with negotiations for a new CBA reportedly stalling, the league must work to continue building and growing its fanbase. But with young, dynamic players like Bueckers emerging, there is hope for a bright future for women’s basketball.