Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers stepped onto the floor for her second consecutive WNBA All-Star Game this season, sharing the spotlight with some of the league’s biggest names. The young star joined forces with standouts such as A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark during the midseason showcase.
When asked to select which five current WNBA players she would choose for her own All-Star starting lineup, Bueckers offered a quick response. She noted she felt they were trying to get her in some trouble before laying out her preferred group.
The Wings standout placed Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier at the three spot. She followed that selection by naming New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart at the four and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson at the five.
Bueckers rounded out her imaginary starting five with a backcourt combination of Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The group created an intriguing mix of scoring, versatility and defensive presence across the floor.
In the Sports Illustrated clip where she shared her picks, Bueckers made clear she holds “love and respect for everybody” in the WNBA. She emphasized that her choices were not meant to upset any players left off the list.
Notably, the Dallas guard did not include her own Wings teammate Jessica Shepard among the five. She also left herself off the roster, focusing instead on other established and rising talents around the league.
The players Bueckers selected each bring strong credentials that make them natural fits for such recognition. Collier, Stewart and Wilson have long ranked among the league’s elite, while Miles and Clark have made immediate impacts in their respective roles.
Bueckers herself continues to produce at a high level for Dallas this season. She is averaging 20.9 points, 6.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game while helping the Wings sit among the top five teams in the standings.
The franchise has shown clear improvement compared with a year ago. A major factor in that progress came when the Wings selected former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd with the first overall pick in the most recent draft.
That selection created history on multiple levels, as it marked the second straight year a WNBA team drafted a No. 1 overall pick who previously starred at the same college program. Fudd did not earn an All-Star nod in her debut campaign.
In contrast, Miles, taken second overall, earned a starting spot in the All-Star Game. Her early success with Minnesota came while Collier was still working her way back into the Lynx lineup.
The Wings’ overall growth has positioned them as a more competitive group capable of challenging opponents down the stretch. With Bueckers leading the way and additional young talent in the mix, Dallas has developed into a team that could deliver surprises once the postseason begins.
Bueckers’ willingness to name her ideal starting five offered fans a window into how she views the current talent across the league. Her measured approach and clear respect for her peers stood out even as she made some bold choices.
As the regular season continues, both Bueckers and the Wings will look to build on their momentum. The second-year All-Star’s production and leadership remain central to the team’s hopes of extending its improved play deeper into the year.
