Paige Bueckers shared a heartfelt message as she prepares to make her senior debut with United States women’s national basketball team at the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
The Dallas Wings guard is set to reach another milestone in her fast-rising career when the tournament takes place from March 11–17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Team USA will compete against Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain during the qualifying event.
Speaking to reporters at the national team’s training camp in Miami, the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year expressed pride about representing her country. Bueckers explained that every stage of her basketball journey has been meaningful and helped shape who she is today. Wearing “USA” on her jersey, she added, carries special significance because it represents something far greater than personal accomplishments.
Bueckers’ rise to the senior national team has come quickly. After being selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the former UConn Huskies women’s basketball star delivered a standout rookie season despite Dallas finishing last in the standings. She averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game on her way to earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Although this will be her first appearance with the senior national team, Bueckers already has extensive international experience. She previously won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2017 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, the 2018 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup, and the 2019 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, where she was named MVP.
Still, she noted that senior-level FIBA competition presents a different challenge, describing the style of play as highly physical and intensely competitive because athletes are representing their nations with passion and pride.
Bueckers will be part of a new wave of talent joining the national team, including fellow WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who are also expected to make their senior debuts during the tournament. Their presence signals the arrival of a new generation that could shape the future of USA Basketball heading toward the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
For Bueckers, the moment represents more than just another game. It reflects years of dedication, beginning at Hopkins High School in Minnesota, continuing through her collegiate career at UConn, and now reaching the global stage. When she finally steps onto the court wearing the USA jersey, it will mark the realization of a dream she has held since childhood.
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