Paige Bueckers could ask for all that is there in the WNBA and still end up getting it. The Dallas Wings’ rookie superstar seems to have a bright future coming in a couple of years after the latest CBA is signed.

However, there are still some lists where she has yet to make her mark. 

Recently, when Diana Taurasi was asked to name her all-time UConn starting five, the result reflected both the program’s depth and the difficulty of narrowing down decades of elite talent.

Speaking on Yahoo Sports Daily, Taurasi selected a lineup featuring Sue Bird at point guard, alongside Nykesha Sales, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart. Notably, Taurasi placed herself and Bueckers on the bench.

“My starting point guard would be Sue Bird, obviously,” Taurasi said. “I’m gonna go Nykesha Sales, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart… Paige, I left Paige off. And off the bench, Paige and I will come off the bench.”

“My starting PG would be Sue Bird. … Nykesha Sales, Maya Moore, Tina Charles and Breanna Stewart. … Paige [Bueckers] will come off the bench.”@DianaTaurasi lists her UConn women’s all-time starting 5 🔥

(via Yahoo Sports Daily) pic.twitter.com/WpxL5K4d0j

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 23, 2026

The selection highlights UConn’s sustained dominance under Geno Auriemma. Bird and Taurasi led the Huskies to an undefeated national championship in 2002, setting the tone for a dynasty. Moore later carried that standard forward, anchoring back-to-back undefeated title runs while earning multiple National Player of the Year honors.

Stewart’s résumé may be the most decorated of the group, winning four consecutive national championships and three Player of the Year awards. Charles, the 2010 Player of the Year, added interior dominance during her tenure, while Sales remains one of the program’s most accomplished scorers.

Diana Taurasi Leaving Paige Bueckers Out Of Her Starting Five

Leaving Bueckers out of the starting five is the most debatable aspect of Taurasi’s lineup. The former UConn star capped her college career with a national title and went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, reinforcing her status as one of the program’s modern greats.

Still, Taurasi’s decision reflects the challenge of balancing eras. UConn’s history is filled with players who not only excelled individually but also defined dominant teams.

Even with two elite guards coming off the bench, the exercise underlines a broader point, as there is no single definitive answer. Any all-time UConn lineup is bound to leave out names that would start at almost any other program.

Taurasi’s version simply leans on championship pedigree, longevity, and the players who shaped the program’s identity across different eras.

Diana Taurasi Puts Azzi Fudd Ahead Of Paige Bueckers

When Diana Taurasi talks about UConn guards, it’s usually worth paying attention. Her recent comments about Azzi Fudd did just that, especially because of what they hinted at when placed alongside names like Paige Bueckers.

Taurasi didn’t explicitly compare the two, but her praise for Fudd’s shooting stood out. She called Fudd “the best pure shooter” she has seen, which is a strong statement considering the level of players UConn has produced over the years, including Bueckers and Caitlin Clark.

“I think AZ’s the best pure shooter I’ve ever seen,” she said. “She’s one of the only players I’ve seen that when she catches the ball and gets ready to shoot, I never think she’s going to miss.”

“Azzi’s the best pure shooter i’ve ever seen”

“Playmaking, decision making, great defender, always put on the other team’s best guard & every huddle she’s the one talking”

“She’ll definitely be the # 1 pick, there’s not many players like her to have ever worn a UConn jersey” pic.twitter.com/q1uKy1WvTr

— ana (@salt3dwounds) March 23, 2026

The way Taurasi explained it was simple. With Fudd, there’s a level of confidence the moment she gets her shot off. It’s not just about form or range, but how repeatable it looks, possession after possession. That kind of consistency is often what separates good scorers from great ones at the next level.

At the same time, Taurasi made it clear that Fudd’s game has grown beyond shooting. She pointed to improvements in decision-making and playmaking, along with a defensive presence that allows her to take on tough assignments. Those are the areas that tend to decide whether a player can handle a bigger role professionally.

That said, none of this takes away from what Bueckers has already done. Her body of work at UConn and her transition to the WNBA speak for themselves. But Taurasi’s point seemed more specific than that. When it comes to shooting alone, she sees Fudd operating at a very high level, even among elite guards.