Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers throws a strike for first pitch at Rangers-Royals

ARLINGTON — Paige Bueckers had a singular goal when she walked out to the pitcher’s mound and faced home plate.

“I just didn’t really want to embarrass myself,” Bueckers said. “I was trying to make up for yesterday’s smoked layup so I was just wanted to do a little bit better than I did yesterday.”

Bueckers — with her Dallas Wings teammates beside her — threw out the first pitch prior to Wednesday’s game between the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Field. She tossed a strike to Rangers first base coach Corey Ragsdale and to her delight “didn’t hit the dirt.”

Rangers

“I didn’t put too much effort into it,” Bueckers said. “I was trying to be a little nonchalant.”

The Wings won their second game of the season Tuesday vs. the Golden State Valkyrie. Bueckers, the dynastic rookie from UConn, scored 20 points in the win and has averaged 17.7 points in her first nine games.

Bueckers, who starred at Hopkins High in Minnetonka, Minn., said that she attended Minnesota Twins game as a child and played baseball before basketball became her full-time sport. She said Wednesday that she played every position but preferred pitcher or shortstop because she “got a lot of action at shortstop.”

Bueckers is expected to attend the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA draft watch party June 25 at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks have the first overall pick and are expected to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg.

“That’ll be really cool,” Bueckers said. “Obviously highly anticipated with it being Cooper. It’s just an exciting time in Dallas for all the franchises and all the organizations.”

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