UConn superstar Paige Bueckers announced that she will enter the 2025 WNBA Draft, putting an end to the ongoing speculation about whether she would join this year’s draft or wait until next year.
The 23-year-old point guard, who has enjoyed a stellar college career, had one additional season of eligibility remaining at the collegiate level. She confirmed her decision to ESPN on Friday, and she is expected to be selected as the overall number one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, with the Dallas Wings currently holding the first pick.
College Career
As a Husky, Bueckers boasts an impressive, award-filled resume in her basketball career, and she aims to build upon it in the professional world.
She received numerous awards as a freshman after joining UConn from Hopkins High School in 2020. These included Player of the Year honors from ESPN, Big East, and AP, Freshman of the Year from ESPN, WBCA, USBWA, and Big East, First Team selections from All-Big East, Final Four All-Tournament, AP, and USBWA, along with being a Naismith Trophy winner and Wooden Award winner. In her sophomore year, she was again named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team.
Unfortunately, she tore her ACL and missed the 2022–2023 season. Upon her return in 2024, she defied the odds and was honored with selections to the All-Big East First Team, Final Four All-Tournament Team, and Big East Player of the Year, among other accolades. In her final season in 2025, she is currently averaging 19.2 points with a shooting percentage of 54.2%, along with 4.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.
The 2025 WNBA Draft
The draft is set for Monday, April 14, which is less than two weeks away. This will be the first draft for the Golden State Valkyries, the newest addition to the league.
