Dallas Wings GM & Coach on Drafting Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale

Drafting Paige Bueckers

• 🎯 The Dallas Wings never considered trading the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, having identified Paige Bueckers as their target from the moment they won the lottery.
• 💡 Bueckers is described as a special player with a unique opportunity to impact the franchise.

Impact of New Draft Picks

• ⚡ Arike Ogunbowale, drafted at pick 12, is highlighted as a player who can provide instant offense at all three levels and possesses a fearless, "dog" mentality.
• 🤝 Coach Chris Koclanes emphasizes Bueckers' unselfishness and ability to involve others, believing she and Ogunbowale will complement each other well by reading the game and knowing when to be aggressive or defer.
• 🌟 The impact of No. 1 picks on franchises is acknowledged, with the expectation that Bueckers will make a significant impact in her own way through her efficiency and unselfishness.

Building a Sustainable Franchise

• 🧠 Bueckers is expected to bring her experience from UConn, including navigating daily pressures and expectations, to help establish a strong, sustainable foundation for the Dallas Wings.
• 🚀 The team's trajectory is seen as having "no limits" with the upcoming move downtown, a new practice facility, and the commitment from ownership, all contributing to a higher trajectory for the franchise.

Evolution of Women's Basketball

• 📈 The signing of Paige Bueckers to Unrivaled is seen as a positive development, allowing top players to stay and play domestically rather than going overseas.
• 🌟 The growth in fandom and eyes on women's basketball is celebrated, with the product always being tremendous but now receiving the attention it deserves, making it an exciting time for the sport.