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Paige Bueckers came into the WNBA with a high basketball IQ and an already impressive skill set for a rookie — there's a reason why she was the No. 1 overall pick in April's WNBA Draft, after all. Those abilities were on full display during the Dallas Wings' thrilling contest against the Atlanta Dream on July 30, and despite the last-second 88-85 loss, Bueckers remains confident in what she knows her strengths are on the court.
“I've always loved my mid-range jumpshot,” Bueckers said, according to ClutchPoints reporter Joey Mistretta. “That won't ever change.”
But even though she's perfected her comfort zone, Bueckers voiced that she's trying to branch out and expand other areas of her game, like her paint presence, during a postgame interview.
“I want to avoid over-penetration, but I feel like I can get to the paint, to the rim a little bit more, get to the free-throw line a little bit more, draw a little bit more contact,” Bueckers explained.
“[I want] a mix of … both,” she said. “Finding a better balance of both.”
“I've always loved my mid-range jump-shot… That won't ever change,” Paige Bueckers said.
However, she added that she wants to find a “better balance” of also driving to the basket.
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) July 31, 2025
Bueckes gave some insight into why she wants to develop this specific area of her skill set and how it ultimately benefits her preferred mid-range game.
“I think playing against defenders in this league, they're the best defenders in the world,” she explained. “So you have to be able to get your shot off in tight spaces, close spaces, be able to create space to get your jump shot off.”
Bueckers added another milestone to her resume during her 21-point and seven-assist performance versus the Dream, notching her 11th game with at least 15 points and five assists. The mark surpassed Sue Bird to land Bueckers in second place in WNBA rookie history. Only Caitlin Clark has recorded more 15-point, five-assist contests, putting up 30 during her 2024 rookie campaign.
As the Wings continue to rebuild and battle injuries, they have leaned on Bueckers, and the first-year star has stepped up to the task. The 23-year-old was the only rookie with a starting role in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and also captured Rookie of the Month honors for June after pacing all first-year players in scoring, assists, and steals. Paige Bueckers is averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per outing so far this season.
