The WNBA debut stage had not yet stopped smoldering since last year. Thanks to Caitlin Clark, who redefined what a rookie should be like. Then, just days before, after a night of fashion and hugs, the smoke had started to clear a bit. And at the center of it stands Paige Bueckers, as tall as ever. From leading UConn to a national championship to cementing herself as the projected No. 1 pick for the Dallas Wings, she’s built a résumé that screams superstardom. So, it is no shock that the hype around her WNBA debut mirrors the buzz we saw with Caitlin Clark. And funny enough, Clark herself sees the potential. “I think she’ll honestly fit right in,” Clark said about Bueckers. But while she is all in on Bueckers, not everyone’s convinced.

One national analyst, in particular, has raised a concern about Bueckers’ arrival in the W. Rachel DeMita jumped into the conversation with a unique angle, saying, “I think Paige Bueckers will be in the running for Rookie of the Year, but I’m still interested to see how Dallas utilizes her”.

And she’s got a point. A combination of veteran leadership and rookie spark is essential. “If it’s something where Paige goes into Dallas and Arike and Paige become a backcourt like Caitlin and Kelsey Mitchell were, that would be incredible for Paige—if they’re able to share the ball and work into the offense cohesively,” DeMita added.

While Paige brings explosive scoring ability, Arike Ogunbowale offers a proven track record. Remember the WNBA All-Star Game, when Arike scored 34 points—all in the second half—earning her second All-Star MVP award against the Olympic team? Together, they could form a backcourt as dynamic as Clark and Boston. But that if, that says a lot about how positive she is.

Clark’s partnership with Boston, a dominant presence in the paint, created a two-way threat that was hard to defend. Their chemistry was evident in the WNBA All-Star Game, where Clark set a rookie record with 10 assists, facilitating scoring opportunities for her teammates. However, DeMita pointed out that Bueckers’ rookie season is unlikely to follow the same trajectory.

When the 23-year-old Iowa native transitioned to the W, she had only one real competitor—Angel Reese. But the way she performed and the records she set, it didn’t take long before Clark was crowned WNBA Rookie of the Year with 66 out of 67 first-place votes. She averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, set a single-season assist record with 337, and led all rookies in scoring, assists, steals, and three-pointers made.

But a similar debut isn’t necessarily expected from Bueckers. While she was a standout at UConn, her transition to the WNBA comes with added hurdles. The Wings, coming off a 9–31 season, are in a rebuilding phase, and Bueckers’ integration into the team is seen as a long-term project rather than an immediate impact. Analysts predict that although Bueckers possesses exceptional skills and potential, her rookie season may not mirror Clark’s immediate success due to different team dynamics and expectations.

And that’s not all—Bueckers may have more than just team challenges to face. A rising threat is already looming in the W.

“I think Paige will start right off the bat… I think Dominique has endless potential defensively. Dominique is also going to be really great, so that’s someone who’s on my Rookie of the Year radar as well,” DeMita noted.

Enter Dominique Malonga, the 19-year-old phenom and No. 2 overall pick by the Seattle Storm in the 2025 draft. She brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill to the court. Her ability to defend the rim, combined with her agility and ball-handling, allows her to impact the game both inside and on the perimeter. Her versatility has even drawn comparisons to NBA star Victor Wembanyama. Still not convinced? She’s the only freshman to dunk in a EuroCup game.

That’s why many are calling Malonga the “steal of the draft.” While she may be relatively untested against top-tier NCAA competition, her international experience—including a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics—proves she’s ready for the professional stage. Without a doubt, she’s a real threat to Bueckers’ Rookie of the Year campaign.

While these predictions may seem a bit early, one thing’s for sure: the Paige Bueckers effect is already in full swing—and the WNBA is bracing for the ride.

Not played a game yet, but ‘Paige’s effect’ is ruling!

The UConn superstar hasn’t even dribbled a ball in the WNBA yet, but she’s already changing the game in Dallas. Drafted first overall by the Wings in 2025, she brings a wave of excitement that’s rippling through the league. Also known as the “Paige Effect,” her presence alone has caused ticket demand to skyrocket.

Just one example? For Bueckers’ WNBA debut, when Dallas will be hosting Minnesota, her hometown team, on May 16th, the ticket sales were so overwhelming that organizers had to open the upper deck of the College Park Center. Well, it’s something that’s only been done for the WNBA Finals or when Clark came to town!

So, with nearly every seat sold out, including only a few remaining courtside tickets, it’s clear Bueckers is already a major draw. Her arrival in Texas is breathing new life into a franchise that’s been seeking a breakthrough. What makes this even more impressive is how much her hype mirrors what Caitlin Clark did for the Fever just a season earlier.

Clark’s rookie year saw a 320% attendance boost for Indiana, national TV deals, and even the launch of a $78 million training facility for the team. Now, the Wings are hoping Paige can do the same—and signs say she might. With her inspirational comeback story from injury, the media frenzy surrounding her debut, and tickets reportedly nearing $1,000 for her first head-to-head clash with Clark, the buzz is undeniable.

Even before she’s laced up for game one, Bueckers is selling out arenas and giving the Dallas Wings a fresh identity. If this is the beginning, we’re definitely in for something special!