Dallas Wings Clinch No. 1 Overall Pick

In a thrilling culmination to the WNBA draft lottery held this past Sunday, the Dallas Wings have clinched the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2025 draft. All eyes are set on Paige Bueckers, the phenomenal UConn star, as the Wings gear up for a potentially transformative selection.

Draft Order and Team Changes

In the draft order that emerged, the Los Angeles Sparks will select second, closely followed by the Chicago Sky and the Washington Mystics. The Wings, with a combined 45.4% probability of securing the top pick—factoring in their own chances and those of the Sky—are looking to reshape their franchise after a challenging 2024 season marred by injuries and a disheartening 9-31 record.

Wings' History With No. 1 Pick

This will mark the Wings' first No. 1 pick since 2021 when they selected Charli Collier. The team is motivated to make a comeback and return to playoff contention, with their recent changes in coaching signaling a fresh start. After parting ways with coach Latricia Trammell, who led the team to the semifinals in 2023, the Wings have appointed Curt Miller as their new general manager while they search for a head coach.

Paige Bueckers: The Star of 2025 Draft

The anticipation surrounding the 2025 draft is heightened by the star-studded roster of potential lottery picks, including talents like Kiki Iriafen, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles, projected to make significant impacts at the professional level. However, it's Paige Bueckers, a 6-foot guard from Hopkins, Minnesota, who captures the spotlight.

Bueckers is nothing short of a sensation. She made headlines as the first freshman to sweep all major national player of the year accolades, although she faced setbacks due to injuries in her sophomore and junior seasons. Despite these challenges, she has consistently led UConn to the Final Four and was instrumental in their run to the national championship game in 2022. With a career scoring average of 19.9 points per game and an impressive 53% shooting rate from the field, she is poised to exceed legends like Maya Moore for the program record.

Looking Ahead to 2025 Season

While Bueckers has an additional year of eligibility plus the option from the COVID-19 extension, she has expressed an intent to make 2025 her final season at UConn. Reflecting on her future, UConn coach Geno Auriemma shared his hopes for her next chapter, stating, “I hope she goes to a team that she is exactly what they need, whatever that team is. Paige is going to be all right wherever she goes.”

New Expansion Team: Golden State Valkyries

Adding to the excitement of the 2025 season is the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries—the first expansion team since 2008. They will enter the draft with the fifth overall pick, positioning them to make their mark in the league. The draft will take place on April 14, with the remaining selections following an inverse order based on teams' records from 2024.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for the Wings

With notable changes ahead for multiple teams and premier talent entering the league, the 2025 WNBA draft is set to be one of the most anticipated events in women's basketball history. Could this be the moment the Dallas Wings turn their fortunes around with the addition of a superstar like Paige Bueckers? Only time will tell!