Paige Bueckers ‘Super Excited’ for Preseason Debut vs. Aces, Already Feels at Home with Wings

Less than a week into her first WNBA training camp, Paige Bueckers already looks like she belongs.

The No. 1 overall pick hasn’t just adapted to the pro game—she’s embraced it. With Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes installing a read-and-react offensive system, Bueckers has stepped in as the lead guard and quickly asserted herself as a steady, confident presence.

“I just admire Paige’s ability to take everything in stride. Her IQ is fantastic,” Koclanes said. “She hasn’t missed a step here at all.”

Bueckers has frequently run point guard during practices, organizing halfcourt sets and playing out of pick-and-rolls while also pushing pace in transition. Her command of the offense and ability to quickly grasp concepts have stood out in a camp environment heavy on terminology and new structure.

Her comfort level hasn’t been limited to just being the primary ball handler. Koclanes has praised her maturity and impact as an off-ball player as well.

“You can put her anywhere,” Koclanes said. “As a coach, that just makes your life easier. She’s going to get other people open looks, and she knows that, and she’s willing to do that.”

Bueckers’ versatile skill set makes her a threat when the Wings execute various handoff actions. Whether she has the ball in her hands and works out of a Get action, or plays out of the corner in Zoom action, the Wings have shown ways to get her touches with an advantage while using basic actions. What should help Bueckers is her ability to catch and shoot, which enables her to be a threat when she’s run off the ball after spending time off it. There is no shortage of options when she’s on the floor, whether she’s spacing out, running off staggers, or screening for a teammate.

What’s already obvious is how potent Bueckers is from mid-range. She left UConn with impressive efficiency, but that skill has popped throughout training camp, particularly on turnaround jumpers that she’s hit in traffic or late in the clock.

Her unselfishness and timing off the ball have helped generate cleaner looks for others, and she’s already shown a willingness to screen, relocate, and cut hard when she isn’t initiating.

When asked about her developmental focus, Bueckers said she’s working on being more vocal and consistent.

“I’m trying to come in and earn everybody’s respect through passion, heart, communication, and building that chemistry on and off the court,” Bueckers said. “Just connecting with everybody.”

She added: “Being present. Continuing to keep my foundational pieces of my faith, being in a state of gratitude, and trying to be the best teammate and leader I can be, connecting with every single person on and off the floor. It makes everything better on the court.”

Bueckers enters the league following a dominant final season at UConn, where she led the Huskies to an undefeated Big East season (18–0), a Big East Tournament championship, and ultimately their 12th NCAA national title. In 38 games, she averaged 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.

Beyond the system, it’s how Bueckers has fit in personally that stands out.

“I love Dallas already,” she said. “My moving truck from Connecticut came yesterday, so I’m still moving every single day, but it’s been fun. I love where I live. I love being here with the team, in a new environment with new people, and continuing to get better and keep growing. So it’s been a great first week.”

The 23-year-old has bonded with teammates quickly. Bueckers said the off-court chemistry is already forming through shared meals, practice routines, and downtime.

“We hang out, we go grab food together,” she said. “We already are building a great chemistry. We’re already well connected with each other. It’s obviously gonna grow through life, some practice, and road trips like this. So yeah, our chemistry is building every single day. And so that’s really a great part too.”

That chemistry has shown up in their competitive habits. Bueckers, Ogunbowale, and other players have engaged in spirited post-practice shooting games throughout the week, displaying not only their shot-making skills but also their shared drive to win and dislike for losing. It’s been a tone-setter for the team and an early sign of how tight-knit the group is becoming.

Bueckers’ shooting workouts have drawn attention on multiple days of training camp. She’s remained on the court long after formal sessions end, often working solo on movement shooting drills across the perimeter and mid-range. The competitiveness has spilled over into jokes with DiJonai Carrington, who claimed Bueckers “thinks I can’t guard her”—a reflection of how quickly the rookie guard has integrated into the team’s culture.

As the Wings prepare for Friday’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Aces at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion—Ogunbowale’s alma mater—Bueckers acknowledged a mix of emotions heading into her first WNBA game.

“Yeah—excited, anxious, a little nervous,” she said. “But just super excited overall.”

Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale have already begun developing an on-court rhythm. With Bueckers initiating the offense, Ogunbowale has returned to her preferred role off the ball.

“I’ve always been more of an off-ball type of player, so she’s a great on-ball,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And, you know, when I take it down, she goes off the ball. So it’s definitely—we have a good little thing going right now, and I think it’s gonna be really good this season.”

Ogunbowale believes their potential is significant.

“We could be really dangerous,” she said. “It looks good on paper—we’ve just got to put it together. But I know we will, so I’m excited for it.”

Head coach Chris Koclanes has encouraged the Wings to prioritize chemistry and freedom in his system. Rather than relying on heavy play-calling, the offense is built on shared concepts and instincts.

“It’s free-flowing,” Bueckers said. “He gives you concepts, ideas, foundational pieces—not really a ton of set plays to where you have to do this, and then there’s no right or wrong. It’s just read and react.”

Koclanes said their mutual respect and feel for the game is what makes the pairing promising.

“I’ve been impressed by just the amount of respect they have for each other and how intentional they’ve both been about getting each other involved,” he said.

Ogunbowale, who became the all-time scoring leader in Wings history last season, sees untapped potential in this year’s group.

“I don’t even really think this team compares too much because we have a lot of skill on this team,” she said. “So I think it’s gonna be a lot different. It’s gonna be really fun.”

For Bueckers, Friday night is just the beginning. But from the way she’s carrying herself—on the court, in the locker room, and around her teammates—she already feels like she belongs.