{"id":700311,"date":"2026-06-12T19:45:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/700311\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T19:45:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:45:17","slug":"paige-bueckers-makes-powerful-statement-about-pride-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/700311\/","title":{"rendered":"Paige Bueckers Makes Powerful Statement About Pride Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Phoenix\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 11: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings is interviewed after the game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on June 11, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Eight months before the Dallas Wings<\/a> selected Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the then-UConn star was adamant about not wasting her platform.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just trying to stay true to myself [and] not let anything change me,\u201d Bueckers told me in a wide-ranging interview for Uproxx<\/a>. \u201cContinue to speak on what I believe in. Just use my platform for good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since then \u2014 one NCAA national title and one WNBA Rookie of the Year campaign later \u2014 her platform has ballooned considerably. And it\u2019s clear she meant what she said back then.<\/p>\n

Paige Bueckers Makes Powerful Pride Night Statement\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyPaige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings<\/p>\n

Pride Night attracted a sellout crowd<\/a> to College Park Center on June 11, and Bueckers rewarded fans with a masterpiece. She led the Wings to a 85-70 win over the Phoenix Mercury with a season-high 31 points on a ridiculously efficient 14-for-20 shooting from the field.<\/p>\n

After the game, Bueckers\u2019 leadership took another form when asked about the Wings\u2019 Pride Night celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s really important,\u201d Bueckers said<\/a> at her postgame presser. \u201cI feel like this world would be a lot better place if love and inclusivity was just put first. To live in love. To love somebody regardless of who they like, who they love, and just love them for who they are. I think that\u2019s what life is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bueckers continued, \u201cI want to live a Christ-like life \u2014 to live in love, to live in accepting others, to live a judgment-free life. That\u2019s really what you want to do. It was a really fun night to celebrate Pride, and I know the W is huge on inclusivity and activism and being just supportive and loving of everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bueckers and the Wings\u2019 2026 Season So Far<\/p>\n

Bueckers was sensational as a rookie, but the Wings were woeful. Dallas tied the Chicago Sky for the worst record in the WNBA at 10-34 in 2025.<\/p>\n

So far this season, Bueckers\u2019 individual excellence coincides with the win column. Under first-year head coach Jose Fernandez<\/a>, Dallas (8-4) is two wins away from matching their entire 2025 win total on June 12.<\/p>\n

Bueckers is averaging 19.8 points \u2014 seventh in the league \u2014 5.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. Solid numbers, but she passes the eye test with flying colors.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Holly Rowe<\/a> reported during the Wings\u2019 season opener that Bueckers had gained 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Her bulked-up strength shows in her confidence in getting to her spots, driving in the lane, and creating shots.<\/p>\n

The Wings\u2019 turnaround can\u2019t be discussed without at least mentioning the free-agent signing of veteran forward Jessica Shepard, whose seven double-doubles rank second<\/a> in the WNBA, and the drafting of Azzi Fudd, Bueckers\u2019 former UConn teammate, at No. 1 overall in April\u2019s 2026 WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n

But none of it works without Bueckers. A second straight All-Star nod is guaranteed, and she is building an WNBA MVP and All-WNBA case. Most importantly, Bueckers may get her first taste of WNBA playoff basketball. And history suggests she\u2019ll be more than ready to meet the moment.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMegan Armstrong<\/a> Megan Armstrong is a freelance journalist, podcast producer, and perpetual content consumer. Her work has appeared in Billboard, Boardroom, Bleacher Report, Esquire, GQ, GRAMMY.com, NYLON, Teen Vogue, The Kansas City Star, The Hollywood Reporter, UPROXX, and elsewhere. More about Megan Armstrong<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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