WNBA sensation Paige Bueckers has been turning heads this season—and it's not just her game that's getting attention. The reigning Rookie of the Year has packed on an impressive 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason, thanks to grueling three-hour gym sessions, according to ESPN's Holly Rowe.
Now weighing in at approximately 160 pounds—up from 145 pounds during her rookie campaign—Bueckers debuted her stronger, more powerful frame in the Dallas Wings' first two regular-season games. And the results speak for themselves.
In a thrilling 107-104 victory over the Indiana Fever on May 9, the 24-year-old guard lit up the scoreboard with 20 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting, adding four assists and three rebounds. She followed that up with 15 points in the Wings' home opener against Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream on May 12.
This transformation didn't happen by accident. Just days before being crowned Rookie of the Year last September, Bueckers hinted to PEOPLE about her offseason ambitions: "I'm looking forward to having an offseason, having things that specifically I wanna work on and get better at. Truly, it's in all aspects of my game. Unless you shoot 100% from the field, unless you don't ever get scored on, grab every rebound, you never turn the ball over, there's always things you need to get better at."
Her rookie season was nothing short of historic. Bueckers tied Caitlin Clark's rookie scoring average to the tenth of a decimal—both finishing at 19.2 points per game. She also averaged 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists, quickly winning over fans across the league.
Now, with her former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd joining her in Dallas, the sky's the limit for Bueckers. Whether it's her upgraded physique or her relentless work ethic, one thing is clear: this WNBA star is just getting started.
