Paige Bueckers continues her dream season as WNBA’s rookie superstar

Writing pieces like this are especially fun and especially challenging: how does one not use hyperbole when referring to Paige Bueckers, one of the out LGBTQ players in the WNBA?

The rookie sensation was at it again recently when the guard scored more than half her teams total points in a loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Kelsey Plum’s buzzer-beater aside, Bueckers put on a show. I was fortunate enough to witness it, and I’ve really never seen anything like it, down to the Azzi Fudd UConn jerseys in the crowd (Fudd and Bueckers are dating).

Bueckers — guarded by two of the league’s best defenders in Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum — set a WNBA rookie record with 44 points, while only missing four shots. As a Sparks fan, I am glad the game ended how it did. As a basketball fan, I am so glad the era of Paige Bueckers is here.

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In a packed Crypto.com Arena, it seemed as if there was a Paige Bueckers jersey on every fifth person in the crowd. It has only been a few months since Bueckers led the UConn Huskies to a record 12th title, and less than a month later was drafted No. 1 overall to the Wings. With her 44-point piece Aug. 20, Bueckers became the first player since 1968 to score 40 or more points in an NCAA tournament game and a WNBA/NBA game in the same calendar year.

August has been a month for Azzi Fudd’s girlfriend, as Bueckers recently set the Wings’ franchise record for most assists in a single season. Bueckers snapped her 30-game double-digit scoring streak on Sunday, putting up nine points as the Wings fell to Golden State, showing she isn’t perfect.

While the Wings are unfortunately eliminated from playoff contention this season, I am so glad we’ve (hopefully) got many more seasons ahead of this one-of-a-kind talent. Cheers to you, Paige! I hope you get to rest soon.

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