Paige Bueckers’ 2025 WNBA Draft status is not up for debate among most fans.
The 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery held in November garnered significant attention when the Dallas Wings emerged as the winner, widely expected to select UConn Huskies superstar Paige Bueckers with the top draft pick.
Consequently, much of the conversation since the Draft Lottery has centered around who the Los Angeles Sparks will choose with the No. 2 pick. However, discussions have intensified recently due to a recent change: the No. 2 pick now belongs to a different team.
Los Angeles traded the rights to this pick to the Seattle Storm as part of a three-team trade that involved Jewell Loyd moving to the Las Vegas Aces and Kelsey Plum joining the Sparks.
In a January 26 article about the trade, ESPN writer Alexa Philippou reported, “Sources indicated to ESPN that the Sparks are unsure about the available options at the No. 2 pick, and the team is also looking to sign Plum to a multiyear deal, which made giving up the lottery pick more acceptable. Both Miles and Paige Bueckers, anticipated as the top overall pick, are regarded as elite prospects, but they still have college eligibility for the 2025-26 season and have not publicly declared their intentions for the upcoming draft.”
This statement sparked confusion within the women’s basketball community, prompting Philippou to clarify on January 27 through a post, saying, “I see some confusion in the comments; I apologize for the unclear wording. It’s mentioned in the article, but the concern is that top prospects like Bueckers and Miles are still eligible for college in the 2025-26 season and have not confirmed their plans for the ‘25 draft.”
Sources told ESPN the Sparks were ultimately uncertain about who would even be available to be drafted No. 2 overall. Combined with the hope of bringing Plum in for multiple years, that made it more palatable to give up the lottery pick. https://t.co/ZN47Hb0cst
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 27, 2025
This led fans in the comments to express that they feel Bueckers has clearly communicated her intention to enter the 2025 WNBA Draft.
“Paige has said 40 times: this is my last year in college, and God willing, I’ll be in the league next summer.”
Media: “Paige Bueckers continues to be so vague about her plans. We have no clue what she intends to do. It’s a complete mystery.”
“Also, why don’t any of you just QUOTE PAIGE FROM YOUR OWN NETWORK?” one user on X commented.
See some confusion in the comments, my bad for poor wording. It’s written in the story, but the concern is top prospects like Bueckers and Miles have college eligibility for the 2025-26 season and haven't publicly confirmed their plans for the ‘25 drafthttps://t.co/c4G85Z77O8
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 27, 2025
Another person commented, “Paige has repeatedly said this is her final year and hasn’t indicated any other possibilities. Plus, La couldn’t have acquired her anyway, so why is she even part of this discussion?”
See some confusion in the comments, my bad for poor wording. It’s written in the story, but the concern is top prospects like Bueckers and Miles have college eligibility for the 2025-26 season and haven't publicly confirmed their plans for the ‘25 drafthttps://t.co/c4G85Z77O8
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 27, 2025
A third person remarked, “Paige has publicly confirmed her plans, and Miles isn’t returning, just watch.”
See some confusion in the comments, my bad for poor wording. It’s written in the story, but the concern is top prospects like Bueckers and Miles have college eligibility for the 2025-26 season and haven't publicly confirmed their plans for the ‘25 drafthttps://t.co/c4G85Z77O8
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 27, 2025
It seems that fans are not worried about Bueckers coming back to UConn for another season.
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