Paige Bueckers Shoutouts Pope Leo XIV and $94,740 Teammate as Dallas Wings’ Lottery Win Makes Azzi Fudd Reunion Possible

Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings will get much-needed help in 2026. On Sunday, with Maddy Siegrist representing the team, the Wings won the draft lottery for the second straight year. With the No. 1 pick going to Dallas, Bueckers could team up with former UConn teammate and girlfriend Azzi Fudd.

Bueckers reacted to the Wings’ lottery win with a story on Instagram on Sunday.

“Shoutout Maddy and the Pope.”

Paige Bueckers shoutouts Dallas Wings teammate Maddy Siegrist and Pope Leo XIV after Wings won draft lottery on Sunday. [photo: @paigebueckers/IG]

Last month, Maddy Siegrist accompanied Villanova alumni to an audience with Pope Leo XIV, who also studied at the same university before becoming a priest. Siegrist said that she could not recall what she told him during their meeting, but Bueckers implied the get-together helped them win the lottery.

According to ESPN, the Wings became “the fourth franchise to have the first overall pick in consecutive seasons.” The Wings called Siegrist, who is in the books for $94,740 next season, “The Lottery Fairy” for helping them make history.

Maddy Siegrist said before the lottery that the Wings were looking for “someone who wants to win.” She added that they were excited to add to the foundation of the team.

While Azzi Fudd is the popular choice among fans to reunite her with Paige Bueckers, the Wings could go a different direction. GM Curt Miller could pair the All-Star guard with Lauren Betts, UCLA’s 6-foot-7 center. Miller could also go international by selecting Spain’s Awa Fam, a versatile 6-foot-4 forward.

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Paige Bueckers leads Wings’ guard-heavy lineup

Only six players have contracts with the Dallas Wings after the 2025 season ended. Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist, Diamond Miller, Lou Lopez-Senechal, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly are on that payroll. Except for Siegrist, everybody on that list plays both guard positions.

WNBA free agency has been put on hold as the league and the players’ union continue to discuss the next collective bargaining agreement. Only a few players on non-rookie scale contracts are signed to a team.

How free agency unfolds could determine how the Wings draft. If they don’t get an All-Star caliber center or forward, Dallas could pick Awa Fam or Lauren Betts.