Paige Bueckers Achieves First Professional Victory Upon Returning to Connecticut

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Paige Bueckers returned to a familiar venue to clinch her first victory in the WNBA. After being selected as the No. 1 pick by the Dallas Wings, she started her professional career with four consecutive losses, an experience quite unusual given her impressive basketball history. However, she managed to avoid extending that streak to five games, scoring a season-high 21 points in the Wings’ 109-87 triumph over Connecticut.

“It felt great to play like that as a team,” said Bueckers, a former UConn standout. “The environment is special to me, and we put together a full 40 minutes. It felt really good to be out there.” This game marked her return to the state of Connecticut for the first time since helping UConn secure its 12th national championship nearly two months earlier. Just days prior, she played in Minnesota, where she grew up.

With this victory, Bueckers maintained her unbeaten record at Mohegan Sun Arena, where she previously achieved a 15-0 record while winning four Big East championships with UConn. “I don’t think I ever lost here. I was trying to carry that into tonight,” she reflected after the game. The atmosphere during the game felt like a homecoming.

Bueckers received an enthusiastic welcome from the sellout crowd, many of whom wore her jerseys and cheered her on. She quickly ignited the game, contributing seven points and four assists in the first quarter, setting the stage for a 14-point lead at halftime. Wings coach Chris Koclanes praised Bueckers for her exceptional skills and her commitment to becoming a great leader as a rookie. In addition to her on-court achievements, Bueckers recently shared a heartfelt moment on Instagram, showcasing a surprise meeting that Verizon organized with individuals impacted by a food security project she initiated in Minnesota.

This endeavor aims to raise awareness about student hunger, which has surged due to the pandemic. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back and witness the ripple effect of her efforts firsthand, emphasizing the importance of community support. Dallas is set to return to Connecticut for another matchup on June 20.