Paige Bueckers Says the ‘Love’ She Gets from Her UConn Teammates Helped Her Go No. 1 in the WNBA Draft (Exclusive)

Paige Bueckers is crediting her teammates with a big-time assist!

“They’ve made me a better person, a better leader,” Bueckers, 23, told PEOPLE after she was selected as the No. 1 pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft on Monday, April 14. “They’ve supported me through life’s ups and downs. They’ve seen the good days and the bad days, but the love we have for each other is unconditional.”

She added, “And those guys are like my sisters, so they’re a big reason why I’m here today. And so for them to be here, it’s just awesome.”

As anticipated, the Dallas Wings selected the UConn standout with the first pick in the draft.

The national champions, who won the school’s record 12th national championship just over one week ago in Tampa, Fla., all made the trip down to The Shed in New York City on Monday night to support their draftees. Azzi Fudd, Kaitlyn Chen, Aubrey Griffin and Jana El Alfy were among those who cheered Bueckers on during the historic night.

For Fudd, the moment was pure celebration.

“We all get to share this moment with our seniors, with Paige, and so I’m super excited for her,” Fudd, 22, told PEOPLE. “Super excited for all the draftees, but super excited to be here.”

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The team also went crazy when Chen — a Princeton University grad who transferred to UConn for graduate school — was drafted in the third round by the WNBA’s expansion team the Golden State Valkyries and forward Aubrey Griffin — daughter of retired NBA journeyman and coach Adrian Griffin — went No. 37 to the Minnesota Lynx.

And while the show of support was not so much surprising as it was a reminder of the team’s unity, Bueckers said she’s looking forward to embarking on a new chapter as a professional.

“I think ever since I was a young kid, I’ve always dreamed big and try to manifest my goals and work extremely hard for them and keep the faith through them, know everything’s in God’s hands,” Bueckers told PEOPLE. “But to be able to play this game, to be able to share this moment with my teammates, with my coaching staff, with my family, everybody who’s here, it’s meant everything.”