The wait is over — Paige Bueckers officially joins the Dallas Wings. Anticipation for the 2025 WNBA Draft skyrocketed for Wings fans after winning the draft lottery in November. The star guard was the No. 1 pick favorite long before announcing her declaration to Monday’s draft. A week after winning the NCAA women’s basketball national championship with the University of Connecticut to end her storied collegiate career, Bueckers looks to become the face of the Wings franchise. Fans flocked to College Park Center, the Dallas Wings’ home for one more season, to watch the draft unfold. The arena was bustling with excitement from step teams taking the stage to girls getting Bueckers’ signature braids. The No. 1 pick marks a new era in the team’s history. Despite over a decade in the WNBA, Curt Miller, Wings executive vice president and general manager, said he had never held the top pick until now. “What we’ve seen number one picks do to franchises around the league, it is something truly special — the trajectory of your team, the momentum that it brings,” Miller said. “Paige will do it in her own way, and her efficiency, her unselfishness, her ability to take over when needed. I think you’re going to see her really impact this franchise.” Coming off her senior season, Bueckers averaged 19.9 points per game, leading the University of Connecticut. The guard etched her name into Husky record books, scoring the most points in a single NCAA Tournament run in school history, among other achievements. The pick not only marks a new era on the court but symbolizes new beginnings off the court. The franchise will move to play its home games at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas after this season, bringing new opportunities. “From free agency to all of the offseason investments with the practice facility, the arena coming, and now you add Paige to that along with our other draftees. We just want to bottle that up and keep it going,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “She’s going to be such an important piece and can really have an impact immediately and again, helping us to establish a strong foundation here in Dallas.” Before the draft, the Wings made notable moves in their offseason. Some of the team’s acquisitions included reigning WNBA’s most improved player guard, DiJonai Carrington, and forward NaLyssa Smith. Arlington resident Andre McGee, a big women’s basketball fan, believes Bueckers’ skill set increases the team’s hopes of winning a championship. “We got some real dogs, especially defensively, bringing in our new defensive-minded coach,” McGee said. “Offensively, always, we got the skill. Arike [Ogunbowale]’s out there, Paige is out there now. We got some size on the court, I feel like we are just really good, a little bit of everything, everywhere.” As for Bueckers, Koclanes described her as unselfish — a player who can take over a game when needed but has a special knack for getting her teammates involved. When describing what Wings fans should expect from her, Bueckers echoed Koclanes’ sentiments. “Just a selfless leader, a person who just wants to win, will do whatever it takes to win, and somebody who plays with so much heart and passion and so much love for the game and love sharing that with others,” Bueckers said during the ESPN telecast. Ahead of her senior season, Bueckers achieved nearly every individual accolade under the sun. Partly due to injury, there was one achievement left for her to cement her legacy: winning a national championship. Miller marveled at Bueckers’ ability to shine under pressure and deliver a title to the University of Connecticut. “We all see the efficiency, we’ve all seen the talent the minute she walked on campus, but to watch her navigate the pressure that she had to feel this year was truly special,” he said. While Bueckers was the highlight of the night, work didn’t end there for the Wings. Dallas had four more draft picks, including the last pick of the first round. Aziaha James, North Carolina State University senior guard, was selected with the 12th overall pick. Miller and Koclanes expressed excitement when adding her to the team, not expecting her to drop that low. Additionally, the Wings selected Madison Scott, University of Mississippi senior guard. Miller called Scott “one of the best defenders out there,” and expects both players to make the roster and provide impact. Dallas finished the night with five additions to the team. The Wings added two draftees in the third round with the 27th and 31st picks. JJ Quinerly, West Virginia University senior guard, and Aaronette Vonleh, Baylor University senior center, rounded out the draft. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The women’s golf team’s quest for a Western Athletic Conference Championship is underway, while tennis prepares to host its tournament this week. Baseball and softball also have a busy week ahead with conference play. Here is the schedule for Tuesday through April 21. Women’s golf After teeing off Monday, the women’s golf team will round out the WAC Championship with the second round Tuesday and final round Wednesday in Phoenix. The Mavericks look to clinch an automatic berth in the NCAA Division I women’s golf tournament. Men’s tennis The men’s tennis team begins its postseason play in the WAC Championship at the Arlington Tennis Center from Thursday through Saturday. Dates and times for when UTA plays are yet to be determined. Women’s tennis The women’s tennis team will also participate in the WAC Championship at the Arlington Tennis Center after dropping its final game of the regular season against conference-leading Tarleton State University. Dates and times for when UTA plays are yet to be determined. Baseball UTA baseball will start the week off with a matchup against Baylor University at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks are riding a five-game winning streak, including a series sweep against Tarleton State University. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+. The team will then host Abilene Christian University in a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Clay Gould Ballpark. Game two will be played at 6 p.m. Friday and the series finale at 1 p.m. Saturday. The first two games will be available to stream on WAC International, with the final game on ESPN+. Softball The softball team will host familiar foe Grand Canyon University in a three-game series at Allan Saxe Field. The series will start with a doubleheader at 3 and 5:30 p.m. Friday, and the final game will be at noon Saturday. The first two games will be available to stream on ESPN+. Track and field Track and field is slated for two invitationals this week. The team will travel to Azusa, California, to participate in the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University. The meet is scheduled to run Wednesday through Friday. For more information, visit the Cougar’s website. The team will also travel to Waco, Texas, on Friday and Saturday to participate in the Michael Johnson Invitational hosted by Baylor University. For event schedules, visit the Bear’s website. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu