An NCAA champion with UConn, Paige Bueckers is now a WNBA player. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft with the Dallas Wings, she had gone from her euphoric locker room Sunday night to parades through Connecticut to a stage surrounded by spotlights at the draft. The emotional transition was visible in her tired eyes and bittersweet smiles, becoming the sixth Husky to go first overall. However, as she leaves a legacy, Geno Auriemma ain’t got time to miss her–not when he’s got two more aces up his sleeve.
The whirlwind week for Paige Bueckers saw her go from college royalty to pro-level spotlight in a matter of days. Despite the rapid transition, she spoke with confidence about her new team, calling Dallas a franchise with “great pieces” and strong leadership. But here’s the twist: What happens to UConn now that their star is gone? Are they still contenders?
Apparently, ESPN’s Elle Duncan thinks so. She kept it real on her show, saying, “While Paige was otherworldly… she was not the sole reason” UConn won it all.
According to her, “She didn’t have to put up 50 points for them to win. That was really Azzi Fudd’s game and Sarah Strong’s game. Those girls are returning to UConn, so UConn feels like they’re in a great place because two of the big three who were really integral in this national championship run are returning to school. So, that’s great!” Duncan said on her show.
And Duncan’s not wrong. While Bueckers played well throughout the tournament, it was Fudd and Strong who dominated the final. They both put up 24 points, and Strong added 15 rebounds for a monster double-double. Fudd even grabbed the Most Outstanding Player award for the Final Four. It wasn’t just Paige’s show—it was a team effort.
With Fudd and Strong returning next season, UConn’s core remains intact. This means Geno Auriemma still has a championship-caliber squad—minus Bueckers, yes, but far from depleted. The legacy she helped build now rests in capable hands. And while UConn looks ahead, Bueckers is already commanding attention in her new league.
Paige Bueckers vs Caitlin Clark showdown
Now, the WNBA gears up for what fans are calling the next great rivalry—Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark. Their story stretches back to high school rankings and college showdowns. Bueckers’ UConn won the first rendition of the matchup in 2021. Clark’s Hawkeyes got the revenge victory on the Final Four stage in 2024.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies looks on during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The hype surrounding their professional rematch is no joke. The Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever are scheduled to face off four times this season, with the first matchup taking place June 27 at the American Airlines Center. And the buzz? It’s driving ticket prices sky-high. General admission tickets begin at $255, and courtside seats have cracked $5,000 on resale sites.
Regardless, this is bigger than two superstars; it’s about what they stand for. Women’s basketball is having a moment, and Bueckers and Clark are at the forefront of it. Ticket prices across the WNBA are up 50% this year. This isn’t hype; it’s demand.
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