Paige Bueckers rolled into the pros, grabbing ROTY, and now the All-Rookie is already looking to expand her skillset.

During her conversation with Bleacher Report, Bueckers spelled out exactly what she wanted to add to her game. “I want to work on my left hand… get to the free throw line more, so lowkey a little foul bait," added Paige Bueckers. However, she's also been studying an NBA star.

"But also the Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] shoulder bump into my midrange pull up,” she added, and that fact that she's been working on her game showed on the Unrivaled's opening night.

She posted 24 points and led the expansion Breeze BC team to a 69–62 win over Phantom BC, marking the franchise’s first-ever victory.

Additionally, Paige Bueckers completed her stat line shooting 7-of-15 from the field while adding 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 5 of 5 free throws. Veteran Chelsea Gray of Rose BC was the only player who outscored her on opening night with 35 points.

Bueckers looked comfortable and under control with the 3x3 format featuring teammates like Cameron Brink, Kate Martin, and Dominique Malonga.

Yet this is just the beginning for Paige Bueckers

The 24-year-old is not treating Unrivaled as a side project for the WNBA offseason. “This is not a secondary league. This is really good, competitive basketball,” she said post-game.

With the WNBA CBA negotiations deadline lingering, Unrivaled offers players the opportunity, visibility, and freedom to grow their individual games, and Bueckers wants to stand out.

League president Alex Bazell also acknowledged Bueckers' presence. "Paige is a superstar,” Bazell said. “Paige is someone that raises the level of everyone else.” He called her “one of the culture-setters for us, and women’s basketball as a whole.”

So it's no surprise that he mentioned that getting Paige Bueckers on board for season 2 was 'top priority'. Yet, the question is: Can Paige Bueckers maintain this form throughout the Unrivaled season? Catch her next on January 9th to find out.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi