Paige Bueckers earns praise from Dallas Wings teammate

Dallas Wings point guard Paige Bueckers is beloved by one of her teammates.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers looks on during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers looks on during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Dallas Wings point guard Paige Bueckers is coming off of an impressive rookie campaign.

Bueckers, who turns 24 next month, won Rookie of the Year honors with the Wings after being the fifth-best scorer in the WNBA this season. Bueckers' teammate Arike Ogunbowale had a lot of positive things to say about Bueckers to Dallas Hoops Journal reporter Grant Afseth.

“Regardless of the record, she did exactly what she was supposed to do and then some,” Ogunbowale told Afseth.

“Having a great rookie season like that is hard, especially on a team that’s not really winning. She showed up every day, did the work, and like I said, she’s going to be great in this league for a long time. I’m super happy Dallas was able to draft her and just continue building with her.”

READ MORE: The one reason Candace Parker can't place Paige Bueckers on All-WNBA First Team

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Bueckers, Ogunbowale growing in chemistry

Bueckers went through some bumps and bruises during her first WNBA season as the Wings finished with the league's worst record.

She spoke with Afseth about how Ogunbowale helped her throughout the season.

“We’ve grown a lot throughout the entire year, and we have a great relationship where we can talk to each other about anything and help each other be better,” Bueckers told Afseth.

“She’s a great vet to have. I’ve learned a lot from her. She’s been a great support system and embraced me, helping me be my most confident self. So to have these interactions together where we’re interacting with the community and building that way—it’s really fun.”

Bueckers is an incredible talent and she is one of the most gifted players in the WNBA. The way she can go from great to one of the league's best players on a successful team is if she can lean on her teammates more.

It's up to the front office to put the right players around Bueckers, but if she can follow through with getting them more involved, the Wings will be very successful as a team in the years to come.

READ MORE: Paige Bueckers joins icons in WNBA history after winning Rookie of the Year

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.