Paige Bueckers remains at the University of Connecticut for the 2024-25 season, meaning she is currently ineligible for the WNBA. Recent reports conflating her status with professional league participation are inaccurate, as the UConn star has not yet entered the WNBA Draft. She is currently competing for the Huskies in the NCAA.
Why is Paige Bueckers not in the WNBA?
Paige Bueckers is currently playing her final season of collegiate eligibility at the University of Connecticut. Under current WNBA collective bargaining agreement rules, players must turn 22 during the calendar year of the draft or have completed four years of college to be eligible for selection. While Bueckers meets the age requirement, she opted to return to UConn for the 2024-25 season rather than declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft. According to an official statement released by the player in April 2024, she chose to utilize her remaining year of eligibility to pursue a national championship with the Huskies.
Clarifying the WNBA Draft timeline
The confusion regarding Bueckers’ status stems from the standard transition period for elite NCAA athletes. Because Bueckers has not declared for the draft, she is not on any professional roster and has not “missed” a WNBA game. Her professional career is slated to begin following the conclusion of the 2025 NCAA tournament. Draft projections from outlets like ESPN consistently list Bueckers as a top candidate for the 2025 WNBA Draft, provided she maintains her current collegiate standing.
How collegiate eligibility impacts professional transitions
The transition from college to the professional ranks is governed by strict age and academic timelines. Unlike the NBA, which allows “one-and-done” players, the WNBA maintains higher age-gate requirements to preserve the collegiate pipeline.
| Requirement | WNBA Standard |
| :— | :— |
| Age | Must turn 22 in the year of the draft |
| Education | Must graduate or be four years removed from high school |
| Status | Must formally renounce remaining NCAA eligibility |
Players like Bueckers, who have remained in school to complete degrees or pursue additional titles, often face public speculation regarding their professional timeline. However, the decision rests entirely with the athlete. According to NCAA participation records, Bueckers remains in good standing as a student-athlete, ensuring her focus stays on the upcoming Big East and NCAA tournament schedules.
What happens next for the UConn star?
Bueckers is expected to remain the focal point of the UConn offense throughout the 2025 season. Her next professional milestone will occur in the spring of 2025, when she is eligible to formally declare for the WNBA Draft. Until that time, any reports of her missing professional games are factually incorrect, as she is not a member of any WNBA franchise. Her performance throughout the current collegiate season will determine her draft stock heading into the 2025 selection process.