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If anyone knows Paige Bueckers, it's Geno Auriemma. The University of Connecticut head coach spent the last five years dealing with the bad and the good of his former protégé, which gives him the authority to deliver unsolicited advice to his new coach, Chris Koclanes.
On April 14, the Dallas Wings met expectations by making Bueckers the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The former Huskies star s a roster that includes guard Arike Ogunbowale and forward Satou Saballi, captained by Koclanes.
Last season, the Wings finished second-to-last overall, with a 9-31 record, and it will be Koclanes' mission to get the best out of his players to reverse that record and return Dallas to the playoffs. However, as Auriemma warned, the task won't be easy when it comes to Bueckers.
Auriemma's formula for living with Bueckers
On Monday night, Auriemma ed the ESPN covering the WNBA Draft. When the hosts asked him what advice he would give Koclanes to get the best out of Bueckers, the legendary coach responded, "Pretend that everything is OK."
Auriemma explained that Koclanes will have to be ready for Bueckers to challenge him, "and you should challenge her. She's going to be a risk taker, and you're going to have to live with some of the risks because most times, they actually pay off."
The UConn coach emphasized Bueckers' indomitable desire to win, saying, "At the end of the day, just keep in mind she wants to win as much as you do, and she'll spend more time in the gym than you do. So, it's a home run for both of them."
The Wings' Challenges
The 2024 WNBA season was a nightmare for Dallas. Not only did the team fall short of its goal of making the postseason, but it was also one of the worst in the league, ahead of only the Los Angeles Sparks. With the arrival of Bueckers and the new draft class, which included four other rookies, Koclanes hopes to lift the team.
The task won't be easy. Integrating a rookie into a team of veterans is always a challenge, but when it comes to a star of Bueckers' stature, the challenges multiply. However, if the Wings coach takes Auriemma's advice, the transition should be much easier for everyone.