When Arike Ogunbowale—Notre Dame legend and Dallas Wings superstar—returned to her alma mater, she didn’t just watch her Fighting Irish put the UConn Huskies in their place with a 79-68 smackdown. No, she managed to set the women’s basketball world on fire with a single dap-up. Who was on the receiving end of that courtside moment of the year? None other than UConn’s Paige Bueckers, the soon-to-be WNBA No. 1 draft pick.
Cue Wings fans collectively fainting.
Let’s break this down.
When Arike Met Paige: A Scene Stealer
Thursday night’s blockbuster showdown between Notre Dame and UConn was a basketball purist’s dream. But while fans were losing their voices over the upset, cameras captured a future storyline worthy of its own Hollywood script.
Arike Ogunbowale—who can still hear the Notre Dame fight song in her sleep—spotted Paige Bueckers postgame. What followed was a dap, a hug, and a heartfelt exchange:
“Appreciate it, good to see you too,” said Bueckers, probably keeping her composure better than any of us would.
The moment was so sweet you could drizzle it over pancakes, but the subtext was chef’s kiss. Arike might’ve been whispering:
“See you in Texas, kid.”
Dallas Wings Fans Are Giddy—And They Should Be
For context, the Dallas Wings won the WNBA Draft lottery, landing the coveted No. 1 pick for 2025. The odds? Just a 45.4% chance. Arike Ogunbowale’s reaction on X said it all:
“I just fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD!”
That’s the energy of someone who knows what’s coming.
Why? Because Paige Bueckers isn’t just any college star—she’s THE college star. The 23-year-old UConn guard is averaging 20 points, nearly 5 rebounds, and 4 assists this season. She makes defenders look like they’re stuck in slow-motion replays.
Combine that with Arike Ogunbowale, a four-time All-Star and scoring menace (22.2 points per game last season), and you’ve got a backcourt so dangerous, even Batman would worry about it.
Notre Dame to UConn: “We’re Still the Main Characters”
But let’s not forget the game itself. Notre Dame, fresh off a caffeine shot of home-court energy, served UConn its first loss of the season. The Huskies walked in ranked No. 2 and left looking like they were hit with a Notre Dame reality check.
Sure, Paige Bueckers did her thing—dropping 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting like it was a casual Thursday night—but the Fighting Irish said, “Cute stats, but we’re getting the win.”
Somewhere in the stands, Arike was likely smiling that knowing smile—the kind that says, “I’ve been there. This is what Notre Dame does.”
A Bueckers-Ogunbowale Duo Could Break the WNBA
While UConn fans are still nursing their wounds, Wings fans are already picturing the 2025 season. A backcourt pairing of Ogunbowale and Bueckers? That’s basketball poetry.
Imagine Paige dishing dimes while Arike drops buckets from every corner of the court. Imagine defenses scrambling, coaches panicking, and announcers running out of adjectives.
The Wings, who finished a disappointing 9-31 last season, suddenly look like contenders. The future is bright, Texas, and the rest of the league better invest in some extra aspirin.
The Final Buzzer
One game, one exchange, and one exciting glimpse into the WNBA’s future.
Notre Dame stole the show, Paige Bueckers showed out, and Arike Ogunbowale gave Dallas Wings fans a reason to believe their draft-day dreams are about to come true.
“Good to see you too,” Bueckers said.
Trust us, Paige—we can’t wait to see what happens next.
