With over seven million combined social media followers and a rookie season that turned heads across the sports world, Paige Bueckers is already operating on a level that most athletes take years to reach — and a major new list is making that official.
Complex Sports, the sports and pop culture outlet, recently released a list of 20 women’s athletes from across the industry who are actively changing how fans and the broader public perceive women’s sports. Bueckers landed at No. 8 on that list — a placement that reflects both her on-court impact and the cultural footprint she has built in a remarkably short time.
The timing matters, too. With the Dallas Wings season-opener approaching, Bueckers is entering her first full WNBA campaign carrying expectations that few rookies have ever faced — and so far, she has handled every bit of it.
Why Paige Bueckers Is on This List in the First Place
The Complex Sports list was not about statistics alone. It was built around athletes who are shifting the cultural conversation around women’s sports — players and competitors whose influence extends well beyond their sport’s traditional audience.
Bueckers fits that description almost perfectly. She was the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft, won the league’s Rookie of the Year Award, and has simultaneously built a public persona that reaches fans who may not follow basketball at all.
Her brand work spans fashion and global partnerships. Her social media presence — more than three million followers on Instagram and four million on TikTok — gives her a reach that rivals athletes with far more experience. And according to those who have followed her rise, what makes her stand out is not just the numbers. It is how she shows up.
Olivia Tauber, writing for the Complex Sports feature, highlighted that Bueckers has consistently made a point of being authentic in everything she does — a quality that resonates with younger audiences who are quick to spot anything that feels manufactured or forced.
What the No. 8 Ranking Actually Represents
Landing at No. 8 on a list of 20 is genuinely impressive when you consider the context. Bueckers is still in the early stages of her professional career. She has not yet had the chance to build the kind of multi-year legacy that typically pushes athletes into the top tier of these rankings.
That she cracked the top 10 anyway says something real about the pace of her rise and the scale of her current influence. It also signals where observers across sports and culture believe she is headed.
Category
Detail
Complex Sports List Ranking
No. 8 out of 20
WNBA Draft Position
First Overall Pick
WNBA Award Won
Rookie of the Year
Instagram Followers
Over 3 million
TikTok Followers
Over 4 million
Current Team
Dallas Wings
The Bigger Story Behind Women’s Sports Recognition
Lists like this one from Complex Sports do not exist in a vacuum. They reflect a genuine shift in how women’s sports are being covered, consumed, and valued — commercially and culturally.
The WNBA has seen a surge in visibility over the past two seasons, driven in part by a wave of high-profile rookies and increased media coverage. Bueckers is one of the athletes at the center of that moment, and her ability to attract attention across fashion, lifestyle, and basketball content makes her a uniquely powerful figure in that broader shift.
Her digital footprint is described as overwhelmingly positive — a blend of basketball content and lifestyle material that appeals to a wide range of audiences. That kind of cross-platform appeal is increasingly rare and increasingly valuable, both for the athletes who have it and for the leagues they represent.
For the Dallas Wings specifically, having a player of Bueckers’ profile on the roster carries real weight. Franchise visibility, ticket interest, and media attention all tend to follow athletes who command this level of public attention — and Bueckers brings all of that heading into the new season.
What Comes Next for Bueckers and the Wings
With the Dallas Wings season-opener on the horizon, Bueckers is preparing to build on a rookie year that already established her as one of the most compelling players in the league. The expectations around her are high, but so is the foundation she has already laid.
Her placement on the Complex Sports list is one more data point in a story that is still very much being written. Observers across the industry have noted that she still has the vast majority of her WNBA career ahead of her — which means the No. 8 ranking may look modest in a few years’ time.
For now, it stands as recognition that Bueckers is already doing something meaningful — not just winning games and awards, but helping expand what women’s sports can look like and who they can reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What list was Paige Bueckers recently named to?
Bueckers was included in Complex Sports’ list of 20 women’s athletes who are changing the perception of women’s sports, landing at No. 8.
What WNBA team does Paige Bueckers play for?
Bueckers plays for the Dallas Wings, who are preparing for their upcoming season opener.
What awards has Paige Bueckers won in the WNBA?
She won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award after being selected first overall in the WNBA Draft.
How large is Paige Bueckers’ social media following?
She has over three million followers on Instagram and more than four million on TikTok, giving her a combined following of more than seven million across both platforms.
Why was Bueckers highlighted specifically on the Complex Sports list?
According to the feature, she was recognized in part for her authenticity, her global brand deals, her fashion presence, and her ability to connect with audiences both inside and outside of basketball.
How many athletes were included on the Complex Sports women’s sports list?
The list featured 20 women’s sports athletes from across the industry who are helping reshape the perception of women’s sports.