A gold medal was the highlight of Paige Bueckers’ 2017 Argentina trip. But the elevator ride home left a memory far darker than basketball. Bueckers and Team USA won the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship,

Paige Bueckers’ exchange with 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu produced a viral World Cup moment and a playful request from FIBA.

The Dallas Wings guard scored 10 points off the bench on 5-for-8 shooting from the floor, adding five assists and two blocks to her tally.

Zhang Ziyu handed Team USA a unique challenge during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup opener, and Paige Bueckers was seen chatting to the 7-foot-4 Chinese center

Before becoming a star in the WNBA, Paige Bueckers was a crucial member of the UConn Huskies basketball program. Paige Bueckers spent her entire NCAA career while donning the UConn Huskies jersey under the leadership of legendary coach Geno Auriemma.

Paige Bueckers, of the United States, shoots over Italy's Matilde Villa during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Italy in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.

Paige Bueckers delivered the funniest moment to start the FIBA World Cup by openly trolling herself next to 7-foot-3 Chinese center Ziyu Zhang.