Paige Bueckers’ WNBA debut will blend nostalgia with a glimpse toward the future. When Bueckers and the Dallas Wings face the Las Vegas Aces at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion, the preseason contest will be much more than just another game. It will honor college beginnings while sparking excitement for what’s ahead.
The evening will also mark a special homecoming for Wings star Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame’s all-time leading scorer and the key figure in their 2018 national title run. Meanwhile, Aces stars Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd who also helped deliver championships for the Irish will return to their old court as well.
Legends return to Purcell.
Arike. Jewell. Jackie.
Less than 10 days ‘til tip.Secure your tix at 🔗 https://t.co/FHkJYgebeW#IrishInTheWNBA // @WNBA pic.twitter.com/i2tFZYNzri
— Notre Dame Women's Basketball (@ndwbb) April 23, 2025
This matchup is part of a wider WNBA initiative to reconnect players with the college fans who first cheered them to greatness, an effort Bueckers is eager to support. After guiding UConn to its 12th national championship, she told *The Dallas Hoops Journal* she hopes to eventually bring a game back to Gampel Pavilion, where her own legacy was forged.
“I think it’s really special and a great idea,” Bueckers said. “Starting with this game is a great first step. I’d love for us to play at Gampel someday. Watching women’s basketball grow both in college and the WNBA is amazing, and I know it’ll draw big crowds wherever we go.”
As Bueckers steps into her pro career, her first appearance for the Wings is about more than her first minutes on the court. It’s a symbol that embracing the roots of women’s basketball can help shape an even brighter future. Before long, Bueckers hopes to relive that homecoming feeling in Storrs, the place where she became a star.
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