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Ivory CoastPaige Bueckers Ready for Playoff Pressure After UConn and FIBA Success
Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers believes her past championship runs with UConn and Team USA have prepared her for her first WNBA postseason.
Ready for the Big Stage
Paige Bueckers is heading into her first WNBA playoffs with the Dallas Wings. The rookie star believes her past championship experiences will help her handle the high stakes and pressure of this postseason.
Bueckers recently won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup. Before that, she captured a national championship with UConn in March 2025.
She explained that playoff basketball brings a different level of intensity. "There's a sense of urgency and will and a want and an extra desire you have to have during the playoffs," Bueckers said.
Lessons from UConn
During her four years at UConn, Bueckers built an impressive postseason resume. She played in 12 Big East tournament games, winning the conference title in all four seasons. She also played in 22 March Madness games, including two Final Fours and two national championship games.
Before winning the 2025 national title, Bueckers felt the weight of trying to win it all during her senior season. She was selected as the top overall draft pick later that year. She learned that focusing too much on the final result can be a distraction.
"If I just focused on winning so bad, you forget how to do it," Bueckers said. Instead, she learned to focus on being a leader and serving the moment.
International Experience and the WNBA Postseason
Her time with Team USA also prepared her for the physical style of the professional game. In the FIBA World Cup, Bueckers averaged 7.3 points per game while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three point range. She noted that international play helped her adjust to a higher level of physicality.
Now, she faces a best of three series in her first WNBA postseason. Veteran guard Alysha Clark has been reminding the team that staying connected is what allows teams to make deep playoff runs.
Bueckers is ready to face the challenge. She noted that while the pressure is higher, she wants to enjoy the moment.
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