Paige Bueckers Is Built for the Moment & The WNBA Already Knows

Paige Bueckers has not played a minute of professional basketball in the WNBA and still already has a scouting report dripping with respect from her WNBA peers.

Phee’s Praise Hits Different

Napheesa Collier’s week has been grand to say the least. Collier signed with the Jordan Brand and will now be a signature athlete on their roster. Collier was also named as the MVP favorite by WNBA general managers for the season.

Additionally, Collier’s résumé is stacked. Olympic gold medalist, All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP runner-up. Collier is not the type of person who hands out flowers just because a rookie’s got hype.

So when Collier starts gushing about Paige Bueckers? Take note.

“Her work ethic… the way she’s already a three-way player,” Collier said. “Midrange is probably the hardest to master, and she’s really good in the midrange.”

Let’s pause there.

The lost art of the midrange is not particularly trendy these days. In the modern era of basketball, we tend to give a lot more value (analytics & aesthetics wise) to the three-point shot. However, the mid range on the other hand is, old-school, gritty and hard to perfect.

But Bueckers already has it in her bag, and veterans like Collier see the value in it.

“As a point guard, being able to score at all levels and then have that vision? That’s impressive,” Collier added. “Especially for someone who hasn’t played professionally yet.”

She’s not just impressed—she’s invested. Paige’s game has that kind of pull.

Moreover, Collier and Bueckers go back. They’ve been on Team USA rosters together. In fact, Bueckers was the youngest member of the senior national team at the 2019 World Beach Games in Doha, Qatar.

Furthermore, both are Minnesota basketball royalty. There’s love there. But knowing Phee, that does not mean she will let anything slide now that the games count. In fact, it will motivate her to do the complete opposite, to exert her dominance.

“I texted her tonight—don’t do too much against us,” Collier laughed. “Wait until your next game.”

That’s the veteran rookie-welcoming version of “I got you, but I also got next.” It’s playful. It’s protective. It’s also… dead serious.

“I really, really like Paige. Her family, the way she plays—she’s just a great person, a great player,” Collier said. I’m excited for her.”

They See Her

Karlie Samuelson does not have the same history with Paige as Phee does, but she’s seen enough already.

“She’s just really talented,” Samuelson said. Her midrange game… she’s a very talented player.”

Keep notice about how the veterans in the league all keep coming back to that same phrase—midrange game.

In a modern era of basketball dominated by threes and layups, Paige’s ability to live in that awkward, in-between space feels like an cheat code. The fact she can knock it down with proficiency, is even more of a cheat code.

It’s the kind of weapon that gives defenders fits and veterans pause.

Paige Bueckers hasn’t played a regular season minute yet, but her name is already in scouting meetings. Not just for her skills—but because of the way she carries them.

The poise. The polish. The presence.

The league doesn’t need to wait to find out if Paige Bueckers belongs. The veterans have already spoken.

They see her. They respect her.

Now it’s Paige’s turn to show everyone why.