“We were all screaming on the plane,” Bueckers said Wednesday after practice of the San Antonio Spurs star’s buzzer-beater before halftime.
Bueckers, often praised for her high basketball IQ and efficiency, has been a student of the game. She said she consumes hoops at all levels from the NCAA to the NBA.
The 2025 No. 1 overall pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year said she studies the play of Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The back-to-back league MVP led OKC to the NBA title last season and is currently facing Wembanyama’s Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
“I take a lot from Shai’s game, just being able to get to your spot consistently,” Bueckers said.
She also gave kudos to Spurs guard Stephon Castle, a fellow UConn product and the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year, and cited former Dallas Maverick Jalen Brunson as another inspiration.
“Watching Jalen Brunson and his footwork, I think I’ve learned a lot from him,” Bueckers said of the New York Knicks star, who this year helped the franchise to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
“His ability to not be the tallest, most athletic person on the floor. But his consistency in getting to his spot, getting to the rim, getting to the free throw line. Being aggressive that way.”
Since her arrival to Dallas-Fort Worth in 2025, Bueckers and Irving have connected on various occasions, with Irving having made appearances at Wings games last season.
Bueckers’ study of the game has shown so far in her sophomore season with the Wings, who are 4–3 and averaging 88 points per game. Through seven contests, she’s averaging 19.3 points, three rebounds and five assists per game. The phenom is shooting 52.2% from the field and 48.3% from three.