It seems fitting that Paige Bueckers will make her Dallas Wings and WNBA debut playing against the Minnesota Lynx. Before Friday’s game, she took some time to reflect.
After leading the UConn Huskies to the NCAA title in April, Bueckers was selected by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
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Ahead of her first regular-season game against potential MVP candidate Napheesa Collier and Co., the Hopkins, Minnesota, native spoke of how she idolized the Lynx growing up.
“It’s super ironic,” Bueckers said. “Life really comes full circle and God works in mysterious ways. But just to be here in Dallas, embracing a new city, new team, new organization. And then the opening game being against the dynasty that I looked up to so much growing up — really full circle moment for sure.”
When asked if she envisioned herself as the No. 1 pick at a young age, Buckers credited her early success to her work ethic and the people around her.
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“I had really big dreams and aspirations, but you never really know, in life, what you can expect or what you can accomplish,” Bueckers said. “I worked extremely hard for it. I had a lot of great people around me who helped me get to this point.
“Growing up, watching the WNBA, [it] was all I ever wanted to be. So, yeah, it’s pretty crazy now.”
Dallas drafted Bueckers after finishing 11th in the league with a 9-31 record. Upon her arrival, the Wings went 1-1 in the preseason, and she scored 10 points in their first game, and 15 in the second.
The Lynx, who lost in last year’s WNBA Finals to the New York Liberty, also split their preseason matchups ahead of Friday’s game.
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The Wings and Lynx will tip off the 2025 WNBA season from the College Park Center in Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Check out Yahoo Sports’ full WNBA season preview and viewer’s guide here.
