The WNBA All-Star game is on fire! It’s not only the All-Star roster catching eyeballs with their pre-game outfits, but even the audience is turning heads. To catch a glimpse of the Rookies vs. All-Star game, UConn star Paige Bueckers made it to the Footprint Center on July 20th. But she’s not alone.

The 22-year-old Minnesota native sat next to the three-time WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes. To reveal this news among spectators, NoCap Sports WBB took to their official X account and wrote, “Paige Bueckers is in the house at #WNBAAllStar sitting next to #WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes!” Notably, this is the second time that Bueckers and the four-time WNBA champion have been spotted together.

Before making it to the Footprint Center, the duo was seen at the All-Star weekend celebration. Although both Bueckers and Swoopes did not post any pictures together, this time the basketball stars were caught on camera live during the matchup. Spotting them on the screen, fans immediately took to the comment section to share their one important wish for the UConn star.

They hope to see her make it to the WNBA All-Star game next time, not as an audience member as she is today, but as part of the WNBA All-Star roster. “Next year we’re gonna have THE PAIGE BUECKERS in the WNBA,” penned one X user. “Paige Buckets” is currently in her junior year at UConn and is expected to join the WNBA next season. Though she had the option to enter the draft this year.

Buecker’s strategic step-off

In February this year, the 2021 Naismith College Player of the Year announced that she would continue her 2024-25 season with the Huskies. Although she was projected to be one of the top-three picks in this year’s WNBA draft, the Huskies standout decided to keep going with UConn for a potential NCAA championship.

Fans seemed disappointed with her decision, as she was set to compete with Caitlin Clark in this year’s WNBA draft. Now that the Huskies standout is attending the All-Star game as an audience member, it might have reignited fans’ hopes. “We have a Paige Bueckers sighting,” penned a user on X.

Interestingly, it seems the audience and Twitter users are even more ecstatic to see Paige Madison Bueckers at the Footprint Center. “PAIGE BUECKERS, THE STAR YOU ARE!!” added another user. Just like Caitlin Clark, Bueckers is among the best collegiate talents. Over the years, she has accumulated three gold medals with Team USA at the youth international level.

Additionally, she also boasts the title of MVP at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. Quite evidently, all these accolades make her a standout with the potential to turn heads in the WNBA. “Sheryl knows!!!!! Our next supreme!” wrote another spectator, highlighting the long list of achievements by the Huskies star. “Future WNBA Star sighting,” added a user.

Overall, the comment section had a central theme: Paige Bueckers, irrespective of her 2024 WNBA draft decision, still resides in the hearts of spectators. They all want her to join the WNBA in the upcoming season. Sure enough, it would be a game-changing moment for the WNBA, especially if she gets added to the Chicago Sky or Indiana Fever. What do you think? Comment down below!