As the Dallas Wings prepare to open the 2025 WNBA season Friday night against the Minnesota Lynx, much of the spotlight is rightfully on Paige Bueckers’ highly anticipated pro debut. But for Lynx star Napheesa Collier, the moment is about more than just basketball.

Collier, a former UConn standout and now one of the league’s faces, offered heartfelt praise for Bueckers during her media availability after Friday’s shootaround.

The two share a bond forged in Storrs, where each left a lasting legacy under Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma. Though their UConn tenures didn’t overlap, Collier and Bueckers have remained connected through the program’s tight-knit culture and mutual respect for one another’s careers.

That connection was evident in Collier’s comments ahead of Friday’s season opener, as she made it clear how thrilled she is to witness Bueckers begin her WNBA journey — even if they’re wearing different colors on opposite sides of the court.

“I’m really happy for Paige. I really, really like Paige, her family, the way she plays,” Collier said. “She’s just a great person and player. So I’m really happy for her.”

Collier even shared that she texted Bueckers earlier in the day, offering words of encouragement while playfully acknowledging the challenge of facing a player with her skill set.

“I texted her tonight, like, ‘Good luck tonight. Don’t do too much against us, wait ’til your next game.’ But yeah, I’m excited for her.”

The Lynx forward, coming off a standout campaign in which she was named Defensive Player of the Year and finished second in MVP voting, didn’t stop offering pleasantries. When asked what stands out about Bueckers’ game, Collier provided a thoughtful and layered breakdown — the praise reserved for players with rare polish and potential.

“First of all, her work ethic. And then, I think the way that she’s already a three-way player. Mid-range is probably the hardest to master, and she’s really good in the mid-range,” Collier told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “But especially as a point guard, being able to score at all levels, and then her vision is really impressive, especially for someone who hasn’t played professionally yet.”

That type of respect, coming from one of the league’s premier two-way players, speaks volumes. Collier has guarded the WNBA’s best and been the defensive anchor of a team built for deep playoff runs. Her recognition of Bueckers’ scoring versatility and poise — even before her first professional game — reflects how highly veteran peers regard Bueckers.

And while Collier may very well find herself switched onto Bueckers on Friday night, her comments underscored a broader theme: this is more than just a matchup between two teams. It’s a memorable moment to welcome a fellow Huskie legend into the WNBA, or at least a moment where generations meet, and greatness recognizes greatness.

The Lynx enter the season widely viewed as championship contenders, bringing back a core that made a Finals run in 2024 and was picked by most league GMs to win it all this year. Dallas, by contrast, is beginning a new chapter — rebuilding around the No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year frontrunner in Bueckers, hoping that her arrival marks the start of something special.

But for Collier, the excitement goes beyond tactics or expectations. It’s about what Bueckers represents — for the league, the next generation, and UConn’s enduring legacy.

“I’m just really happy to see her out here,” Collier said.