Paige Bueckers' touching moment with Geno Auriemma after becoming No. 1 WNBA Draft pick

NEW YORK CITY – UConn star Paige Bueckers made sure that head coach Geno Auriemma was one of the first people she hugged after WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert called her name at the start of the 2025 WNBA Draft . The Dallas Wings officially selected the 6-foot guard with the No. 1 pick at The Shed in New York City on Monday night.

Even though Bueckers ' name had been expected to be the first one to come off the board for months, the basketball sensation went straight to Auriemma who was sat near her on a nearby table.. The ex- UConn star attended the draft just a week after claiming the national championship with Auriemma's Huskies.



When delivering her speech with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe, Bueckers got emotional, but went on to say: "Just an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It’s super surreal, just being here, with other draft invitees, my teammates are here, my family is here. "Just super grateful.

"Been focused on staying grateful, staying where my feet are, and being here, I’m just extremely blessed." They beat the reigning champions South Carolina 82-59 in a dominant display as Bueckers bid farewell to her college career. During the eventful week, the star UConn guard also signed a three-year deal with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled after becoming part of the ownership group through an NIL deal last year.

Bueckers averaged 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.

4 rebounds in her senior year, earning her third First Team All-American honors and claiming the Wade Trophy. There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror US Sports will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE.

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