The WNBA season is just around the corner, and all eyes are on the Dallas Wings. The team has been getting plenty of attention thanks to their number 1 pick, Paige Bueckers. After a rough 9-31 season last year, the Wings have only 3 returning players, but that hasn’t stopped the fans from getting excited. Dallas has found their new star, their Luka Doncic in Bueckers, and the expectations are clear—help the Wings win the championship again. But the big question remains—Can she do it? Will she receive the same level of support she had at UConn?

UConn’s success over the past five years has undoubtedly been driven by Paige Bueckers, but the championship this year? That wouldn’t have happened without her best friend, Azzi Fudd. Yes, all eyes were on Paige during the tournament, and her performances leading up to the Final Four were incredible, with three 30+ point games. But when the stakes were highest, it was Fudd who really took over. After having sparked an early lead that the Gamecocks could not dare to challenge, she earned the MOP honors.

Paige and Azzi’s backcourt duo was one of the best in the country. But can Paige replicate that same success with the Wings? The biggest question on everyone’s mind is—Who will be Paige’s Azzi in Dallas? Fans are eagerly waiting for an answer, and Sabreena Merchant from The Athletic might just have it!

In the No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show podcast, Sabreena Merchant discussed how Paige will fit in at Dallas. She mentioned, “Truthfully, I like Paige’s combination with all of them. Ty Harris is an awesome shooter, kind of reminds me a little of Azzi Fudd type.”

Fudd averaged 13.4 points per game and hit 45.6% of her threes last season, which makes Sabreena’s comparison to Tyasha Harris pretty clear. Harris put up 10.5 points per game for the Sun last season and shot 39.5% on 3-pointers. While the Wings will likely start with Arike Ogunbowale alongside Paige, the backcourt minutes with Harris and Paige are definitely something to watch this season.

Dallas’ Executive Vice-President and General Manager Curt Miller has shared his vision for how the franchise will grow with Paige Bueckers leading the way. He also highlighted how the lessons from Geno Auriemma will be crucial for the Wings moving forward.

“I think the thing that Geno shares — and he will share it in press conferences — is that you’ve gotta live with her, because she’s so intelligent, you’ve got to live with some of the gambling that she does,” Miller said. “He shared some stories that, instead of locking and trailing, attacking and tracing a great player off of a screen, she shoots a gap to go make a momentum-changing steal in a game. And sometimes it doesn’t always work out.” 

Will the Wings be able to give it their all like the Lady Huskies did? Can Ty Harris step into the same role that Azzi did for Paige? Only time will tell. But for now, the excitement among fans and players is sky-high, and Paige is definitely eager to build meaningful connections in Dallas!

Paige Bueckers wants to play off each other

Looking ahead, Bueckers is undoubtedly going to be the centerpiece for the Dallas Wings. Her mix of skill and charisma made her a fan favorite at UConn, and there’s no doubt that the same will happen at Dallas as well! Her job is simple— to make Dallas great again. And she won’t have to do it alone. The Wings have other important pieces for that as well!

After finishing the season with a 9-31 record, a lot has changed for the Wings. Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally have left, and only three players remain from last season. But Paige won’t be short on support. Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and NaLyssa Smith are all there to guide her. They’ll certainly prove to be valuable mentors for Paige and her fellow rookies, Aziaha James and Madison Scott. And the UConn superstar is certainly looking to build some meaningful connection with all of them!

“I’m not really huge on metric but just the people, the culture … Dallas becoming a place where everybody wants to play and everyone who is here wants to stay,” Bueckers said when asked what could be a marker for the team’s success this season. “So just building a foundation of really enjoying being around each other, enjoying playing together, enjoying being together off the court, on the court, in all aspects.”

For Paige Bueckers, it’s not about finding her “Azzi Fudd” at the Wings. What truly matters is building strong relationships with every teammate. She understands that the Wings can’t succeed unless everyone gives their all for one another. Teamwork really does make the dream work. How Paige bonds with the squad and carves her own path will definitely be one of the season’s biggest storylines to keep an eye on. Stay tuned for more updates!