It’s been a busy time WNBA offseason for Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers. As the WNBA continues to negotiate a new collective agreement With the players union, Bueckers made waves in the Unrivaled league in Miami, Florida. Alongside a host of other WNBA players, Bueckers kept the women’s basketball fire burning during the offseason.
On January 19, Bueckers won the $50,000 prize for the first edition of Unrivaled. free throw challenge. The 24-year-old led all players in free throw percentage through the first five games of the season, making the Bueckers $50,000 richer. The former UConn Huskies star, however, decided to donate the prize to the Hopkins Education Foundation.
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Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers looks on during the second quarter between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jérôme Miron-Imagn Images)
Bueckers and his unrivaled team, the Breeze Basketball Club, were back in action Friday night. They lost to the Phantom Basketball Club, 71-68, with the Bueckers scoring 23 points and dishing out six assists.
The Wings star met TNT’s Unrivaled team during the show. Former WNBA star Renee Montgomery praised Bueckers for her decision to donate her award. She also asked the young star to work more on getting to the free throw line.
“I think just being able to get stronger in the offseason and invite contact more,” Bueckers said. “I think that’s been a big focus for me. And even on mid-range pull-ups, just trying to get the shoulder bump into more space, creating space and getting fouled on the release, but getting deeper into the paint, trying to get to the free throw line more.
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Bueckers, however, revealed that she was given a new nickname after her $50,000 win.
“Now everyone calls me a free-throw dealer,” she said. “So we have to take the wins and the losses.”
Montgomery stressed that this new nickname should be taken as a compliment. The two-time WNBA champion said it was an “MVP term,” referring to the title of MVP. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderwho also shares the same nickname.
“I’ll take it,” Bueckers replied.
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The Bueckers and Breeze fell to 4-4 after Friday’s loss. Their next chance to get back in the win column will be Sunday against reigning Unrivaled champions Rose Basketball Club.
Related: Paige Bueckers Off-Court News Announced After Inaugural WNBA Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on January 31, 2026, where he first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as Favorite source by clicking here.
