Paige Bueckers Sends Message to Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg
Paige Bueckers Sends Message to Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
It's an exciting time to be a basketball fan in the city of Dallas as the Mavericks and Wings drafted the No. 1 picks in both the WNBA and NBA this year. The Wings selected Paige Bueckers back in April, and the Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg on Wednesday night.
Advertisement
Both Bueckers and Flagg are considered generational prospects—with Bueckers already backing up the hype early in her WNBA rookie season. The Wings combo guard is averaging 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
Bueckers recently offered encouraging words for her fellow No. 1 pick after hearing his name called on draft night.
"Hey, Cooper, it's Paige here from the Dallas Wings. From one No. 1 pick to another, just wanted to say congratulations," Bueckers said in a video posted by the Mavericks. "Super excited to have you here in Dallas. I know you worked extremely hard to get here, so continue to keep trusting your work, and let's make this city proud. Excited to see you soon, and congratulations again."
Bueckers attended the Mavericks' watch party at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday, where she spoke about the high expectations placed on both her and Flagg as top overall selections.
Advertisement
"I'm not really new to expectations, honestly, but they exist," Bueckers said. "I know Cooper thinks a lot the same, we have expectations for ourselves and the standards we set for ourselves. ... Do what has gotten you there, stick to that."
Dallas is just the second city ever to receive No. 1 overall picks in both the NBA and WNBA drafts in the same year.
Both the Wings and Mavericks will be in good hands for years to come, as the Bueckers and Flagg eras are officially underway.
Related: Cooper Flagg Headlines a Scary New Big Three in Dallas
Related: Cooper Flagg Arrives in Dallas for Private Mavericks Visit Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Athletics vs. Rays Highlights
Cash a value bet to win AL Manager of the Year Vaughn Dalzell explains that while A.J. Hinch is the heavy favorite, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash has better odds and more value as a bet to win the American League Manager of the Year Award. 1:38 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Golden State Valkyries Make Unexpected Roster Move on Monday
Golden State Valkyries Make Unexpected Roster Move on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a roster shake‑up that surprised many WNBA fans, the Golden State Valkyries announced on Monday that veteran guard Julie Vanloo has been waived. Advertisement The news comes just one day after Vanloo secured a gold medal with Belgium at EuroBasket Women 2025. Vanloo arrived in San Francisco last fall as part of the expansion draft and quickly became known for her playmaking and leadership. In nine appearances (including two starts), she averaged 4.6 points, 4.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game. Unfortunately, the Valkyries chose to bring back forwards Janelle Salaun and Cecilia Zandalasini, who were also away participating in the FIBA EuroBasket tournament. Now, the 32-year-old point guard is back on the market. Prior to joining the Valkyries via the WNBA's expansion draft in December 2024, Vanloo had spent a season with the Washington Mystics and more than a decade playing overseas. Advertisement Last season with the Mystics, she averaged 7.4 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds across 40 games (34 starts). The Golden State Valkyries waived guard Julie Vanloo (35).Kyle Terada-Imagn Images On Sunday, Vanloo helped Belgium clinch its second consecutive EuroBasket Women title with a dramatic 67-65 win over Spain. There, she was named to the tournament's all‑second team for her steady guard work behind stars Julie Allemand and TISSOT MVP Emma Meesseman. In addition to Vanloo's departure, the Valkyries also cut ties with Chloe Bibby, Bree Hall and Aerial Powers. As the Valkyries prepare to take on the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx on Saturday, all eyes will be on how the revamped roster gels moving forward. Advertisement Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game Related: Ranking the 25 Best WNBA Players of All Time This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
MLB Sends Zack Wheeler Message After Phillies Game
MLB Sends Zack Wheeler Message After Phillies Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Phillies right-handed starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is in his eleventh major-league season after debuting with the division rival New York Mets in 2013. Advertisement Now in his sixth season with the Phillies—after five years with the Mets—Wheeler has compiled a 67–35 record in Philadelphia, cementing his status as the team's ace. He's earned All-Star Game appearances in 2021 and 2024, finishing as the NL Cy Young runner-up in both seasons. In the postseason, Wheeler has elevated to another level, posting a 4–3 record with a 2.18 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 12 career postseason appearances, quickly becoming a fan favorite and the most dependable arm in the rotation. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45)Kyle Ross-Imagn Images After another exceptional outing against the San Diego Padres in a 4-0 victory on Monday, MLB highlighted Wheeler's June performance. Advertisement The league wrote, 'Zack Wheeler finishes the month of June with an ERA of 0.58.' Wheeler's combined ERA in May and June stands at 1.43, with six of those earned runs coming in a single start, his only blemish over the past two months. In his other nine starts he has allowed just four earned runs (a 0.63 ERA), marking one of the best stretches of his career. This season is shaping up as the best of his career: he's in contention for his first NL Cy Young Award and has powered the Phillies' 50–35 charge to the top of the NL East. In March 2024, the 35-year-old veteran signed a three-year, $126 million extension with the Phillies and has made clear his intention to retire when the deal concludes. Advertisement Related: Phillies Send Message to Aaron Nola After Career Milestone Related: Phillies' Rob Thomson Announces Bryce Harper News Before Marlins Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
