“Going to be a movieee”: College hoops fans rejoice as Paige Bueckers is ranked No. 1 in ESPN's 2025 WNBA mock draft
Paige Bueckers was projected as a top WNBA pick alongside Caitlin Clark this season(2024). But her decision to return to UConn for one more season surprised many.
Her prospect is expected to improve next year too as ESPN's 2025 WNBA mock draft lists Paige Bueckers as the first pick next year.
Fans swarmed the X post depicting ESPN's mock draft, citing their excitement for Bueckers' top spot:
"Need Paige in LA!!! The is going to be a movieeeee and no lie if Chicago actually get morrow and PaoPao…..my goodness!!" a fan wrote.
"Paige Bueckers is beloved. Welcomed at all cookouts.," another follower wrote.
"Paige, Rickea, hamby and Cameron brink on the same team goodness 🤩😩," another fan commented.
On the other hand, a few fans' sentiments came out when discussing the potential future of other star players:
"thoughts? WHERE IS FLAU'JAE 💔," a fan wrote.
"I think Azzi Fudd in Chicago would be a good fit. She’s a 6’0” sniper and Geno’s players are usually pro-ready," another follower commented.
"I really feel like Hailey Van Lith can work her way back into these top 12 picks," another fan wrote.
The WNBA will not be Paige Bueckers’ only transition
Fans will be able to witness Paige Buecker's skills all year long once she enters the WNBA. This summer, the UConn star signed a deal with women’s basketball league Unirivaled.
Unrivaled is a 3x3 league that aims to keep the competition in women’s basketball alive during the offseason. Spearheaded by WNBA names Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, it will also help players stay in shape throughout the WNBA downtime.
Apart from Bueckers and the founders of the league, more than 10 WNBA stars are slated to participate in the competition. The 22-year-old’s inclusion comes through a NIL deal with the league, which also gives her the ownership of a certain percentage of equity.
The Unrivaled League begins next year in early 2025. However, Paige Bueckers will join the competition in 2026 as she is focused on winning the title with the Huskies in her last year with the team.