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Paige Bueckers is having a busy offseasonThe reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year has been spotted at major sporting events all over North TexasBueckers told PEOPLE in September that she also wants to use her downtime to improve her game
Paige Bueckers is seemingly enjoying her offseason!
In recent weeks, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year has been seen all over North Texas, popping up at sporting events and lending her support to the area’s teams.
From cheering on TCU in Fort Worth when they faced Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes on Oct. 4 to sitting courtside and rooting on fellow No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg at the Mavericks’ first preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder two days later, the Dallas Wings guard may be taking a break from the rigors of the season — but she’s proving to still be game day ready.
While speaking to PEOPLE in September days before she won the coveted ROTY trophy, the former UConn icon said she was excited to have the time away from playing in games to get better at her own game.
“I’m looking forward to having an offseason, having things that specifically I wanna work on and get better at,” Bueckers, 24, said.” Truly, it’s in all aspects of my game. So I feel like unless you shoot 100% from the field, unless you don’t ever get scored on, grab every rebound, you never turn the ball over, there’s always things you need to get better at.”
Paige Bueckers.
Richard Rodriguez/NBAE via Getty
For the WNBA star, her first season was one for the record books, and one in which she tied Caitlin Clark’s rookie points per game stat to a tenth of a decimal.
Both Clark, 23, and Bueckers finished their rookie campaigns averaging exactly 19.2 points per game.
The Minnesota native also grabbed 3.9 rebounds and made 5.4 assists per game — something that had her winning over even more fans.
Her own recent ubiquity as a fan in the stands had her rooting for the University of Texas (throwing a “Horns Up” on live TV during the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 11), swapping jerseys with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and throwing perfect, spiral bombs from the seats at AT&T Stadium before the Cowboys played Washington on Oct. 19.
All the while, Bueckers is still able to put it all in perspective.
“Now I’m in Dallas with a new organization, building new relationships and still playing the game that I love,” she told PEOPLE, reflecting on her transition from college to the pros. “And now it’s a job for me, so now I get paid to do what I love. So it’s just a blessing to be where I’m at and I never wanna take it for granted. This is great, the life that I live, and this past year has been amazing.”