Paige Bueckers Didn't Get What She Wanted With The WNBA Draft Lottery
11/18/2024 05:21 PM
Paige Bueckers reportedly hoped the WNBA Draft lottery would go differently.
On Sunday, the Dallas Wings won the No. 1 pick in next year's draft. They're widely expected to select the UConn guard, who's three games into her senior season with the Huskies. They'll pick ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Washington Mystics.
According to ESPN's Michael Voepel, Bueckers would have preferred to land with the Los Angeles Sparks. Voepel noted that Bueckers, who missed her entire junior year with a torn ACL, has another year of collegiate eligibility.
Los Angeles had a 44.2 percent chance of winning the lottery. Yet Dallas had two chances at the top choice, as the team held the rights to swap first-round picks with Chicago.
Bueckers could have joined forces with this year's No. 2 pick, Cameron Brink, to create a marquee dynamic duo for the Sparks. The L.A. market is also a huge selling point for a franchise owned by former Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
Instead, Bueckers will likely begin her WNBA career in Dallas. The Wings, who hired former Sparks head coach Curt Miller as their new general manager, are seeking a new head coach after firing Latricia Trammell.
"We know what No. 1 draft picks have done to franchises and in recent years how they've changed the trajectory of teams," Miller said, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou. "So super excited to earn the No. 1 pick."
Bueckers would form an explosive backcourt alongside Arike Ogunbowale, who finished second to A'ja Wilson in scoring last season. The four-time All-Star was ecstatic over the lottery results.
"I just fell to my knees," Ogunbowale posted on social media. "THANK YOU LORD!"
Bueckers is projected to headline a 2025 draft class also featuring UConn teammate Azzi Fudd, USC forward Kiki Iriafen, and Notre Dame point guard Olivia Miles. The 23-year-old has averaged 19.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in her collegiate career.
Related: Paige Bueckers Appears To Have Her 2025 WNBA Draft Landing Spot
