Let’s be honest: Paige Bueckers isn’t just aiming for a national title. She’s got her sights set on drafting the ultimate WNBA fantasy squad—and surprise, surprise, UConn’s all-time icons top her list.
During Big East media day, DJ Hamilton tossed Bueckers a fastball question about her all-time WNBA starting five, and she hit it out of the park with her picks. She chose UConn greats Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart to run the court with current WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson anchoring the paint. Yep, that’s four Huskies and a Gamecock. Talk about stacking the deck!
“Let’s see…Sue, Diana, Maya, Stewie, and A’ja,” Bueckers responded with a smirk. She knew she’d picked a roster that could probably run the league—without breaking a sweat.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of UConn,” you’re absolutely right. But who can blame her? The Huskies have more NCAA hardware than most college teams have towels, so picking from that dynasty is a no-brainer. These ladies helped build UConn’s 11 national championships, each leaving a trail of records that will make future players need Google just to keep track.
Diana Taurasi, the “White Mamba” herself, is still running the show after 20 WNBA seasons, three league titles, and one MVP award with the Phoenix Mercury. And then there’s Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champ who retired with Seattle in 2022, basically breaking every assist record worth having. Both players led UConn’s charge in the early 2000s, setting the stage for players like Maya Moore, a four-time WNBA champ with Minnesota who rewrote the rules of “unstoppable.”
As for Breanna Stewart, she’s been tearing up the WNBA since day one. Fresh off a 2024 WNBA championship with the New York Liberty, Stewie’s resume features two MVP awards and enough All-Star nods to fill an entire All-Star team. Rounding out this lineup of legends is A’ja Wilson, who needs no introduction. She’s already bagged two WNBA titles and three MVP awards with the Las Vegas Aces and isn’t slowing down.
So, did Paige nail the perfect lineup? Fans think so. Between Taurasi’s sharpshooting, Bird’s court vision, Maya’s all-around dominance, Stewart’s versatility, and A’ja’s defensive fire, this crew is a nightmare for any opponent.
But let’s not forget, Bueckers herself is chasing history. UConn made it to the 2022 finals, only to be upended by—you guessed it—A’ja Wilson’s alma mater, South Carolina. And last season? The national title dream crumbled after a nail-biter against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Final Four. With the clock ticking on her collegiate career, Bueckers has a chance to etch her own name alongside her idols by bringing one last title to UConn.
Until then, her starting five will keep fans debating, stats nerds drooling, and opponents… well, let’s just say they’re hoping this team stays imaginary.