If you like basketball, you’ll love the 3×3. It’s a format that’s been there a while, but as more attention comes to it, the more technical players are drawn to it, too. Paige Bueckers is getting ready for this new kind of challenge. The Dallas Wings rookie shared her excitement about playing in Unrivaled’s 3v3 league, highlighting how much the style of play tests skill and awareness.
“You see a lot in the triangle set offense. So it’s a lot of scheming, and it’s just fun — the pace. Obviously, the court is smaller, so everything is essentially in transition. I’m really looking forward to that too,” Paige Bueckers said.
The smaller setup means players have less room and less time to think. Offenses are forced to create quickly, while defenses are always under pressure. For Bueckers, who thrives on movement and timing, it’s the kind of format that sharpens every part of her game.
Unrivaled has marketed itself as more than an alternative league. It isn’t just about adding games in the offseason. It’s a stage where stars can test themselves in a stripped-down version of the sport, with fewer players but even greater demands on creativity.
With Paige Bueckers bringing her court vision and skill to the mix, fans will see how one of basketball’s brightest young names adapts to a faster, sharper game. Her words show she’s not only prepared for the challenge — she’s eager to embrace it.
ESPN Names Paige Bueckers Early Favorite For Rookie Of The Year
Paige Bueckers hasn’t wasted time making an impression in her first WNBA season. Her impact with the Dallas Wings has been so strong that ESPN analysts already see her as the top candidate for Rookie of the Year.
“ESPN’s award panel unanimously picks Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers as the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year,” Grant Afseth reported.
It’s a given that when you’ve set the bar high enough during the opening saga of your career, you’re bound to only go higher from there. And with Paige Bueckers, since coming from UConn, she’s been burdened with a lot of expectations. And with the way she’s been playing this season reminds many why she was one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory.
Rookie of the Year races often run deep, but Bueckers’ quick adjustment to the pro level has set her apart. The recognition from ESPN is another sign that her transition has been smoother than most first-year players experience.
Paige Bueckers will remain under the spotlight as the season continues, and if early signs are any indication, she’s on track to meet the lofty predictions around her name.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
