Paige Bueckers’ Dream Remains Unfulfilled as Dallas Wings Rookie Makes Honest Admission on Diana Taurasi
When did Paige Bueckers become a star? Most would point to her college days, maybe even her high school dominance. But you might want to take it back a little. The digital proof dates back to September 24, 2013, in a tweet from Gary Knox. And according to this proof, it all started when Bueckers was just a sixth-grader. “Remember the name: Paige Bueckers. 6th grade, think Diana Taurasi. Best 6th grade G I’ve ever seen. St. Louis Park,” Knox tweeted alongside a photo of an 11-year-old Bueckers, smiling on a basketball court.
Twelve years later, Twitter has become X, but that post remains pinned at the top of Knox’s account. Back in 2013, it may have sounded outrageous to compare a sixth-grader to Taurasi, who at that time was dominating the sport — a three-time NCAA champion, two-time WNBA champion, regular-season MVP, and 2009 Finals MVP. But Knox had his reasons.
“She was just way ahead of her curve,” Knox recalled. “Every play was the right play. She always had the ball in her hand, her passing, her cutting, her footwork. She was so smooth, so fundamentally sound. Her timing was just special.” It wasn’t just talent; it was the way she played, echoes of Taurasi’s brilliance, even in a child barely old enough for middle school.
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear Knox wasn’t wrong. Bueckers, now a three-time Big East Player of the Year, a 2025 NCAA Champion, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has become everything early observers imagined, and maybe more. But for Paige, it’s never been about chasing accolades. It’s been about chasing inspiration. And she was unknowingly being compared to the one she looked up to.
In a recent press conference, she reflected: “She’s been one of the G.O.A.T.s for me. Looking up to her going to UConn and the way she played in the league. Just a winner at every single level. Winningest player in Olympic basketball history. I just want to embody that and her competitive spirit.”
It’s easy to see why Taurasi holds that place in her heart. Under Geno Auriemma’s guidance, Taurasi led UConn to three straight NCAA titles from 2002 to 2004, becoming the first player in program history to post over 2,000 points, 600 assists, and 600 rebounds. Her legacy isn’t just legendary, it’s historic.
But while Bueckers may have received the comparisons, been consoled by the legend after the tough 2022 championship game defeat, and shared a warm embrace as the 2025 trophy was lifted, one wish remained unfulfilled.
Like countless fans, she dreamed of sharing the court with Taurasi. “I mean, for sure I would have wanted to play against her for at least a year,” Bueckers admitted. But that dream will stay a dream.
Earlier this year, on February 25, Taurasi officially announced her retirement from the WNBA, ending a two-decade career that saw her bring home three championships and become the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game of basketball on any stage,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. While rumors about Taurasi’s retirement had swirled for months, it was the legend herself who confirmed the decision in an interview with Time Magazine — and, in the process, broke a little piece of Bueckers’ heart, too.
Still, while Bueckers may never get the chance to battle Taurasi on the court, there’s something else she can do, something even more meaningful.
Paige Bueckers can follow the advice the legend gave her!
We all know Diana Taurasi as a WNBA legend, and Paige Bueckers as the latest rookie stepping into the spotlight. But their connection runs deeper than surface-level stardom.
Long before Paige declared for the draft, Taurasi was already in her corner. Whether it was sending words of encouragement through UConn staff or staying in touch with Bueckers directly, the Hall of Famer was quietly laying the foundation for something meaningful. And now, as Paige enters her first WNBA season, that support system is still intact, and more valuable than ever.
“She’s always there whenever I need her for communication and advice,” Bueckers said recently. “She just continues to tell me to be me, be confident. There’s an adjustment period, so that’ll be there.”
Coming from anyone else, that might sound like generic mentorship. But coming from Taurasi, someone who’s been through every chapter the league can write, those words hit differently. Especially for a rookie stepping into a franchise like Dallas, where expectations are sky-high and a new era is underway.
As Bueckers builds chemistry with Ogunbowale, Stefanie Dolson, and the rest of the squad, she’s also learning how to lead without demanding the spotlight. She’s already talking about culture, togetherness, and laying down roots in a city she hadn’t expected — but is now fully embracing.
She’s not just playing the game. She’s setting the tone. Just like Taurasi once did.
