Here's a bold statement: One of the most dominant young athletes of our time has been shockingly overlooked. Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings sensation, had a 2025 season that most athletes can only dream of, yet she landed a surprisingly low 23rd on Bleacher Report's list of the top 25 athletes under 25. But here's where it gets controversial—is the sports world undervaluing WNBA talent? Let's dive in.
As we step into 2026, it's only natural to reflect on the sports highlights of the past year. Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings' star, delivered a performance that was nothing short of extraordinary. Fresh off a national championship win at UConn during her senior year—where she also earned First-Team All-American honors—Bueckers was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft. Her rookie season was a masterclass in excellence: she started in the All-Star Game, clinched the Rookie of the Year award, and secured a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team. If that's not a recipe for success, what is?
Sure, the Dallas Wings struggled as a team in 2025, finishing at the bottom of the WNBA standings. But Bueckers' individual achievements are undeniable. And this is the part most people miss—her impact goes beyond the stats. On an August night in Los Angeles, she dropped a jaw-dropping 44 points on 80% shooting, setting a single-game rookie scoring record. While her season-long efficiency didn't quite match that peak, her Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 22.1 ranked in the top 10 for the year and among the top 20 all-time for true rookies.
Her per-game averages were equally impressive: 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals, all while shooting 47.7% from the field. These numbers not only earned her All-Star and All-WNBA Second Team honors but also solidified her status as a rising superstar. Remember, this is the same athlete who was the No. 1 recruit in a 2020 class that included heavyweights like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Cam Brink, and Kamila Cardoso.
At 24, Bueckers won't make next year's under-25 list, but her potential is far from tapped. Despite a torn ACL sidelining her during the 2022-23 season, she's back and better than ever. Her poise, game IQ, playmaking skills, and electric scoring ability have her on the fast track to MVP conversations—possibly as early as this upcoming season.
So, why did Bleacher Report rank her 23rd? It's a head-scratcher, especially when you consider that only one other WNBA player (Caitlin Clark at 6th) and one female athlete outside the WNBA (Iga Swiatek, tennis, 16th) made the list. Is the WNBA still fighting for the recognition it deserves? Or is there a bias toward more mainstream sports?
The Dallas Wings now face a critical challenge: building a roster that can match Bueckers' talent. With ample cap space this offseason, the opportunity is ripe. Who wouldn't want to play alongside a phenom like her? But here's the real question: Will the sports world finally give Bueckers—and the WNBA—the credit they deserve? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
For more in-depth coverage of the Dallas Wings and Paige Bueckers, stick with WingsGameday. The future is bright, and you won't want to miss a moment.
