ARLINGTON, Texas — As fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium for the Cowboys-Texans matchup, another wait was building just as much excitement for Dallas Wings fans.
It was announced Sunday that the Wings won the first draft pick for the WNBA’s 2025 season.
“That's great any time that you have just the honor to get the number-one pick. You know? It's going to bring great things to the city and for the team,” said Jacob Barboza, Dallas Wings fan.
“It's a lot of pressure because you don't want to get it wrong," said Luis Yebra, another Dallas Wings fan. "There's been a lot of stipulation coming into number-one picks only because the hype is big, doesn't mean it's a good player."
“What a first 10 days on the job,” said Curt Miller, Dallas Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager. “We've seen through the WNBA history, what number-one picks have done to franchises and it just changes the outlook.”
In 2021, the Wings acquired the number-one pick, but this is the first time they’ve won the lottery.
“That draft class was unique," Miller said. "There was less players that made themselves available for the draft and come into the WNBA. Now it's more a certainty of who's going to be in the draft, who's finishing their eligibility."
Miller said the focus now is finding a new head coach after the previous was let go in October, but fans have been applying full court press on who they want to see on the team.
“I'm going to be straightforward. Paige, you got a home in Texas all day long,” said Yebra.
Paige Bueckers is UConn Huskies guard and the projected number-one pick. She’s already a star with a huge following on social media. Scouts have had their eyes on her since high school, and so do fans.
“Go Cowboys and Paige, come on home. We’re waiting for you. We got you,” said Barboza.
That wait continues until the WNBA draft in April.