WNBA GM Notes Biggest Concern About Drafting UConn Star Paige Bueckers
There is very little doubt that UConn Huskies star guard Paige Bueckers will be the No. 1 pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft, which is held by the Dallas Wings.
Bueckers has more than earned this esteemed honor by the incredible college career she has produced. She has a well-rounded offensive skillset, can score at all three levels, is a fantastic facilitator, holds her own on defense, and has blossomed into a great leader under head coach Geno Auriemma.
But that doesn't mean Bueckers has the perfect WNBA Draft profile. And in a March 25 article from The Athletic that included quotes from anonymous WNBA General Managers about several 2025 draft-eligible guards, one GM expressed what concerns them about the Huskies superstar.
“My only concerns with Paige are physical. If she can stay healthy, I think she’s an All-Star level talent," the GM said, per an X post from The Athletic.
The GM then alluded to all the reasons why Bueckers deserves to be the top 2025 WNBA Draft pick, such as her versatile ability to play both on and off the ball, length, and defensive capability.
They concluded their sentiment with, "It’s hard to find things not to like about Paige.”
Six WNBA general managers shared their candid opinions about the upcoming draft class with The Athletic before the NCAA Tournament began.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 25, 2025
This is their breakdown of Paige Bueckers and other guards ⤵️https://t.co/h2jlcCAltU pic.twitter.com/MsLBQfYYQa
Given that Bueckers is all but certain to go No. 1 overall in the upcoming draft on Monday, April 14, perhaps more compelling is who will be taken right after her. It seems that the most likely person will be Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Olivia Miles, but there are cases to be made for several other players as well.
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Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.