WNBA legend Diana Taurasi has already seen enough of Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers to know that she’ll be the best player in the league sooner rather than later.
WNBA icon Diana Taurasi firmly believes that rookie sensation Paige Bueckers is on the fast track to surpass Caitlin Clark as the league’s top talent.
Making an immediate impact, Bueckers has set a new rookie record by accumulating over 60 points and 30 assists in just her first five games – a feat only Sue Bird had come close to previously.
While her shooting may not be quite as sharp as during her tenure at UConn, Bueckers’ abilities are undeniable, and Taurasi, often hailed as the greatest to ever play women’s basketball, has confidently chosen her side in the Bueckers vs.Clark debate.
READ MORE: Las Vegas Aces teammates Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd carry Notre Dame legacy forwardREAD MORE: Wayne Gretzky reveals true feelings on Caitlin Clark to Travis and Jason Kelce
In a candid discussion with The Athletic, when queried about Bueckers’ potential to become the leading player in the WNBA, Taurasi responded without hesitation. “Absolutely,” confirmed Taurasi. “Paige’s instincts on the court are just incredible, and it takes a special skill and talent when you can galvanize a group of people.
“I’ve been around her long enough to know that once they get the right group around her, things will change because of her skill set and her ability to distribute and score. Paige just has tremendous talent, and once it’s unlocked, I’m going to be really excited to watch her play.”
After securing a national title with UConn, expectations were high for Bueckers to revitalize the Dallas Wings, who ended the 2024 WNBA season with a disappointing 9-31 record. Taurasi weighed in on the challenges facing the young guard in her rookie season.
“Obviously, when you get drafted No. 1 overall, you’re usually going to a team that’s rebuilding and starting to try something new,” she explained. “Dallas has had some great history and some great players, but last year, their season didn’t go as expected, and that’s why they got the No. 1 overall pick.”
She emphasized the difficulties of joining a franchise in the midst of reconstruction, suggesting a shift in perspective regarding wins and losses is necessary.
The seasoned player also mentioned that patience will be key for Bueckers, noting that her development will be evident in how she adapts with each game.
Get Peacock starting at $7.99
Looking for more to watch? Peacock has hit shows, movies, live sports, and more. You can watch popular titles like The Traitors, Yellowstone, and Love Island USA, along with golf tours, NFL games, and Premier League matches all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 a month and you can cancel anytime.
“You take the wins as far as getting better every single game, and as you can tell already, Paige was a different player from Game 1 to Game 2,” Taurasi observed.
“And from Game 2 to Game 10, she’s going to be a different player. That goes for their team, as well as they learn from each other on the court and off the court.”
“And the one thing I know about Paige is she’s so grounded, so patient, and she’s so prepared. She’s learned that in the last four or five years, and all those things that she learned at Connecticut are going to change the way you look at that team. One day, she’s going to end up being the best player in the league for sure.”
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
