WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers Attends Red River Rivalry
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, coming off a celebrated rookie season, was in attendance at the annual Red River Rivalry game between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners yesterday at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
Bueckers, a Minnesota native who now lives in the Dallas area, was among over 92,000 fans at the traditionally competitive college football matchup. Appearing on the ABC broadcast with Holly Rowe, the WNBA Rookie of the Year expressed her enthusiasm for the game’s atmosphere, even flashing the Longhorns’ “Horns Up” gesture in support of the local crowd. The appearance highlights the growing crossover appeal of WNBA stars and their engagement with other major sporting events.
The game took place as Texas, led by quarterback Arch Manning, sought to rebound from a recent 29–21 loss to Florida on October 4th. Bueckers herself is beginning her first offseason after a remarkable debut season with the Wings, where she was drafted first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft following a decorated career at UConn. During her time with the Huskies, she led the team to four Final Fours and a national championship.
Bueckers’ impact was immediately felt in the WNBA, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds across 36 games. She broke Wings’ rookie records for both scoring and assists and earned recognition as the WNBA Rookie of the Year, as well as a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team. You can find more information about the WNBA at WNBA.com and details about the Dallas Wings here.
Team officials stated Bueckers is expected to begin preparations for the 2026 season following a well-deserved break.
