She wasn’t even on the draft board. Yet, somehow, Paige Bueckers managed to steal the spotlight from the very event that didn’t call her name. The 2024 WNBA Draft had its share of headlines. The historic rookie class. The millions in viewership. Bueckers was supposed to be a part of that. But… “Unfortunately, this will not be my last senior night here at UConn,” she had said 2 months earlier. It did not stop her from making some noise that day, though — enough to be remembered now as she prepares to rightfully take her place. However, what was supposed to be a cherishable moment has turned into a sour conversation.
Paige was there at the famed BAM the night the WNBA welcomed a class that was going to change its trajectory forever. Because as the stars took stage, realizing their dreams, two among them were her best friends — Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl. She showed up in an all-white suit– a Louis Vuitton ensemble of a white vest, shirt, and trousers.
It’s been a year to it now, and Paige’s all ready to have the complete spotlight on her. So a series of photos emerged on the WNBA’s official X account—a nod to Bueckers’ fit from draft night. Only one problem: it wasn’t her night last year — and that wasn’t her moment. It was Aaliyah’s and Nika’s night.
But as WNBA reminisced the moment, the two names were left out. “Paige Bueckers pulled up to the 2024 WNBA Draft to support her teammates—and took over the timeline. Now, it’s Paige’s turn to hear her name called,” the post read. Let’s just say fans aren’t having it.
Shut it down in the all-white suit
Paige Bueckers pulled up to the 2024 WNBA Draft to support her teammates—and took over the timeline. Now, it’s Paige’s turn to hear her name called.
Tune in to the 2025 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, April 14 at 7:30pm/ET on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/4Z243N1RLO
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 12, 2025
Paige, Nika, and Aliyah shared the court for four years, to turn into friends for life. They have suffered the heartbreak of the 2022 finals game together, and they have enjoyed the walk as WBCA All-Americans right alongside. “That’s my twin. That’s my best friend. That’s my sister. That’s family for life,” Muhl has to say about the 2025 champion. So it wasn’t just on-court camaraderie. TikToks or personal milestones, showing up has been their thing. So the draft night and whatever followed after was no different.
“So proud… My sisters,” Bueckers would write after Edwards and Muhl had faced each other for the first as pros in the WNBA. It’s time Paige joins them on the big stage now. Only natural then that the WNBA shared the post, sending a reminder for the 2025 draft night that is to be held at The Shed. More so as ‘No.1 pick’ hangs big and bright over the UConn standout’s head.
Too many memories, too much warmth, and best of things to celebrate. But fans just couldn’t get past how a caption was spoiling all the fun.
The internet has spoken, yet again
It was the caption where it all went sideways. It was an actual photo. From an actual event. But the WNBA’s post scrubbed any mention of Edwards — the woman who actually got drafted. Worse? It made the entire moment about Paige. The fans caught it immediately.
“So instead of adding Aaliyah’s name you just scrapped both of them?” one user commented how the WNBA erased not just one but two of its active players—Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mühl—in a single post.
After a successful season, averaging 17.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game with the Huskies, the Washington Mystics had selected Edwards as the 6th overall pick. Muhl, on the other hand, went to the Seattle Storm as the 14th pick in the second round. Not having the two stars of the night in the post smelled fishy to the fans.
“it’s not that hard to just include Aaliyah…” another added. The moment is about Paige, of course. The UConn standout, coming off a storybook run with 3rd most career-points in an NCAA tournament, while delivering the 12th title to the program. The Dallas Wings have all but confirmed they are picking her as the No.1. So nothing wrong about W hyping her up. But a mention of Edwards’ name wouldn’t have done any harm.
“They’re focused on Paige, once you called them out on the deets they said f— it, “her teammates,”” one alleged. Paige is all the talk right now. After a whole year of wait, she is finally stepping into the pro league. ESPN also reports the draft night tickets have soared past 2024. Yep, Paige is a largely contributing factor, boasting 2.3 million followers on Instagram alone. So you know what fans mean when they the focus is on Paige. No one would like to miss an opportunity to capitalize but maybe tick the right boxes?
“Paige didn’t just randomly ‘upstage’ or ‘pull up’ – she was there to support Nika and Aaliyah… whom already play in your league, mind you,” read another. Aaliyah Edwards has been a star in her own right. After finishing her run at UConn as WBCA All-American and the 25th Husky to make the 10-member squad, she also shined as a Mystics starter and eventually as a rookie who defeated Breanna Stewart at the Unrivaled 1v1. So fans demand a little more recognition.
“Season hasn’t even started but y’all are going undefeated! Now leave Aaliyah’s name off again..” came a comment. As the 2025 draft looms, one thing is obvious: Paige Bueckers is going to dominate headlines. But the WNBA will also have to reckon with how it tells its stories. Because the issue isn’t Paige getting love. It’s Aaliyah not getting any. And when fans are the ones doing the correction, it’s not just a bad look—it’s a warning sign.
The post Calls Mount Against WNBA for Ignoring Former UConn Star After Paige Buecker’s Viral Outfit From 2024 Draft Re-emerges appeared first on EssentiallySports.