Paige Bueckers has skyrocketed into one of the WNBA’s best players since entering the league last season, averaging over 20 points per game while serving as an All-Star captain last month.
“I mean, I love watching Paige play,” Taurasi said. “Ever since I saw her play for the first time, I remember having the conversation with Coach [Geno] Auriemma, and I’m like, ‘She’s going to be the best player in the league.’ He obviously agreed [and] has infinite love for her.”
Taurasi also heaped praise on A’ja Wilson, who is ahead of Bueckers in this year’s WNBA MVP race, and standout Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles.
Bueckers committed to UConn women’s basketball in April 2019, ultimately following in Diana Taurasi’s footsteps as a star point guard for Auriemma and a No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick.
Taurasi was a three-time national champion for the Huskies, averaging 15 points per game and earning two AP first-team All-America honors, and found similar success in the professional ranks with 11 All-Star appearances. Her legendary two-decade career with the Phoenix Mercury will be celebrated Sunday, when she is inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at Mortgage Matchup Center.
While Bueckers faced significant injury setbacks in Storrs, she earned first-team All-America honors in each of her three full collegiate seasons and went first overall in last year’s WNBA Draft. The Minnesota native cruised to Rookie of the Year honors last season and has partnered with recent UConn alum Azzi Fudd in guiding Dallas to its most successful season in recent memory.
The Wings recently endured a rough stretch, losing five of six before Wednesday’s win over Toronto.