DHJ Quick Take: Sug Sutton Compares Paige Bueckers to Diana Taurasi
New Dallas Wings guard Sug Sutton, who played alongside Diana Taurasi in Phoenix, said Paige Bueckers reminds her of the WNBA great in leadership and presence.
- What’s the news? Newly signed Wings guard Sug Sutton compared second-year star Paige Bueckers to former teammate Diana Taurasi.
- What’s the comparison? Sutton said it is less about style than leadership, pointing to how both guards carry themselves and expect greatness from those around them.
- Why does it matter? Sutton brings firsthand perspective, having been on the Phoenix roster when Taurasi became the WNBA’s first 10,000-point scorer.
- What’s next? Tip-off is Monday at 7 p.m. CT against the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center, on USA Network nationally and KFAA locally.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Sug Sutton has shared a backcourt with Diana Taurasi. A few days into her stint with the Dallas Wings, she sees a familiar quality in Paige Bueckers.
“I played with Diana Taurasi, and Paige kind of reminds me of DT,” Sutton said.
For Sutton, the comparison is less about style than about presence.
“For me, it’s their personalities, their leadership, and the way they carry themselves,” Sutton said.
Sug Sutton On Playing With Diana Taurasi
Sutton spent time with Taurasi in Phoenix and was on the roster when the all-time great became the WNBA’s first 10,000-point scorer. She described it as a chance to learn from one of the game’s defining players.
“I had the opportunity to play with Diana and be there when she reached 10,000 career points, and that was an incredible experience,” Sutton said. “Just being able to witness greatness up close and be her teammate was special.”
What stuck with her most was the standard Taurasi set for everyone around her.
“One thing about Diana is that she expected greatness from everyone around her,” Sutton said. “That’s one of the biggest things I remember from playing with her.”
That, Sutton said, is where Bueckers reminds her of Taurasi.
“I think Paige is very similar in that regard,” Sutton said. “When I watch Paige, she reminds me so much of DT.”
Sug Sutton On Impressions Of Paige Bueckers
The comparison held up when Sutton first met Bueckers. She said the second-year guard is the same off the court as the personality fans see online.
“You can see her personality on social media, and after meeting her today, she’s exactly the same person in real life,” Sutton said.
Sutton said she is eager to learn from Bueckers and believes the parallel points to a bright future.
“I’m excited to learn from her and get to know her better,” Sutton said. “I think there’s so much greatness ahead for her and for what she’s going to do for the game. I’m excited to be a part of that and excited to be her teammate.”
Sug Sutton On Her Role With The Dallas Wings
The comparison also speaks to what drew Sutton to Dallas. A pass-first point guard, she expects the scoring talent around her, led by Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, to make her job easier.
“Great players make things easier, and Paige and Azzi add to that,” Sutton said.
She plans to organize the offense and make plays off the dribble to create shots for the Wings’ scorers, while bringing the perimeter defense and energy that have long defined her game. Sutton signed a rest-of-season contract Sunday and is set to debut Monday wearing No. 0, stepping into a backcourt thinned by an ankle injury to veteran guard Odyssey Sims.
Dallas hosts the Las Vegas Aces on Monday at College Park Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT, with the game airing on USA Network nationally and KFAA locally.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
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- Sources: Dallas Wings Sign Sug Sutton To Rest-Of-Season Contract
- ‘We Needed More Stops’: Portland Fire’s 3-Point Barrage Sinks Short-Handed Dallas Wings 84-83
- Paige Bueckers Climbs To No. 2 In WNBA MVP Odds After Season-High 31 vs. Phoenix Mercury
- Dallas Wings Rule Out Paige Bueckers Against Portland Fire Out Of ‘Caution’
- Paige Bueckers Questionable For Dallas Wings At Portland; Odyssey Sims Remains Out
- ‘One Of The Best In The World’: Paige Bueckers Erupts For Season-High 31 To Lead Dallas Wings’ Response vs. Phoenix Mercury
