Introduction
Paige Bueckers, widely heralded for her court vision, scoring versatility, and collegiate dominance at UConn, has now embarked on a sensational rookie season in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings. Her trajectory—from elite NCAA performances to record-setting pro displays—has captivated fans and analysts alike. Off the court, her charisma and talent have drawn both praise and pointed commentary, including from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. In this article, we unpack her career-highs, scoring milestones, and explore what Cunningham had to say—and how Bueckers responded.
1. Paige Bueckers’ Career Highs
Role at UConn
Throughout her collegiate career, Bueckers amassed an impressive 2,439 career points at UConn, solidifying her position as the program’s third-highest scorer behind Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. Notably, she logged some dramatic single-game savings: sharing a UConn single-game high of 40 points (set vs. Oklahoma during the NCAA Tournament).
Her senior season saw her earning every major accolade—including the Wade Trophy, Honda Sport Award, and Nancy Lieberman Award, plus All-American recognition and Big East Player of the Year.
NCAA Tournament Glory
Bueckers raised her game especially in the NCAA Tournament:
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She erupted for 34 points in her final home game at Gampel Pavilion against South Dakota State—her career-high in tournament play.
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In the Elite Eight, she dropped a career-high 40 points, the most ever by a UConn player in March Madness TalkSportWikipedia.
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Plus, she maintained strong tournament averages: 27.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game across three Elite Eight appearances.
WNBA Highlights
After being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Bueckers seamlessly transitioned into the pros. She already notched a WNBA career-high of 44 points, going an astonishing 17-of-21 from the field—tying the rookie record for points in a game and becoming the first in league history to score 40+ while shooting at least 80%.
Earlier in the season, she returned from injury to score 35 points against Phoenix—her pro career-high at that point—and averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals through her first nine games.
2. Scoring Milestones & Consistency
Milestone Performances
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Bueckers became the fastest rookie in WNBA history to record 500 points and 100 assists, doing so in just 27 games.
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She also delivered double figures in scoring for 29 consecutive games, surpassing Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper and ranking third in all-time league rookie scoring streaks—just five games shy of tying the record.
Leadership Amid Adversity
Despite the Wings’ tough season—due to injuries to key players like Arike Ogunbowale and Li Yueru—the team’s record, and mounting challenges, Bueckers remains the lone bright spot. She leads the team in points (18.8), assists (5.4), steals (1.7), and blocks (0.5).
3. What Did Sophie Cunningham Say About Paige Bueckers?
Podcast Remarks & League Penalty
On August 13, during her podcast “Show Me Something,” Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham showered Bueckers with praise:
“I love Paige to death… I think she’s a hell of a player and would love to play with her one day…”
The praise was laced with criticism of officiating:
“Those refs were giving her every frickin’ whistle last night. Like you literally couldn’t touch her. That’s just so annoying to me.”
Her comments earned her another fine from the league—her third WNBA fine to date—for publicly criticizing officials.
Her Praise in Earlier Commentary
In a Reddit thread focused on Cunningham’s views, she added:
“She’s probably going to get Rookie of the Year, as she should… we played her three times. The way she just gets to her midrange is insane.”
“She legit has a bag.”
Paige’s Response
Fans noted Bueckers’s mature response to Cunningham’s remarks in the lead-up to the August 15 game against the LA Sparks—her poised reaction earned admiration online.
4. Summary
Paige Bueckers continues stacking career-high performances—from NCAA triumphs to rookie records in the WNBA. Her scoring consistency, refined skillset, and winning mentality have made her a highlight of the season.
Meanwhile, Sophie Cunningham’s podcast remarks—combining admiration and critique—garnered headlines and fines. Bueckers handled it with grace, reinforcing her reputation as both a fierce competitor and a class act. As the season continues, her rising star is impossible to ignore.
