Paige Bueckers offered an early glimpse of an expanded skill set during her debut in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, reinforcing the sense that her game continues to evolve.
Ahead of her first appearance in Miami, Bueckers explained she was focused on improving specific areas, particularly her left hand and her ability to draw fouls. She also mentioned wanting to add a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander–style shoulder bump into a mid-range pull-up to her offensive arsenal.
Those intentions quickly showed on the court. In her Unrivaled debut on Monday night, Bueckers demonstrated a deeper offensive bag, leading the expansion Breeze to a 68–62 victory over Phantom BC at Sephora Arena. Widely considered the league’s biggest new star as Unrivaled begins its second season, she delivered a game-high 24 points on just 15 shots, proving her efficient mid-range scoring translates seamlessly to the 3-on-3 format.
Her impact was not limited to offense. Bueckers also made her presence felt defensively, recording two blocks, including a crucial stop late in the game as the Breeze protected a five-point lead.
As the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, the Dallas Wings standout is clearly the centerpiece of a strong Breeze roster. The team is anchored by former WNBA champion Noelle Quinn and features a talented supporting cast that includes Dominique Malonga, Cameron Brink, Kate Martin, and Rickea Jackson.
After just one game, the Breeze already look competitive. If Bueckers continues to lead and the team builds on its opening-night performance, the first-year franchise could realistically find itself contending for a championship by March.
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