Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers revisited her 2021 ESPYS remarks about using her platform to uplift Black women during a recent appearance on the Nilosophy podcast.
Reflecting on her original statement — “I think we should use this power together to also celebrate Black women” — Bueckers explained how she views the media’s role in shaping narratives. While she acknowledged the media’s importance in generating attention and building excitement around the game, she also suggested it can sometimes be isolating.
“I appreciate the media — their job is to create headlines and draw people in,” Bueckers said. “Rivalries are good for the game, they create conversation and drive interest. But at the same time, the media can try to isolate individuals. You can either take all the attention for yourself or use the spotlight to lift up others.”
She also emphasized her commitment to her faith and her desire to share recognition rather than center it on herself.
“Nothing is done alone. My faith is central to who I am, and I try to use my platform to honor God and highlight others,” she said. “I don’t want to make anything all about me.”
Since being selected first overall by the Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers has continued to speak out about the lack of equitable media representation for Black women in the league.
“It’s still a daily issue,” she told Time magazine in May. “Coverage isn’t equal.”
Bueckers acknowledged the role privilege plays in marketing and visibility.
“I’ve worked hard and feel blessed by God, but I also see how privilege impacts the opportunities I receive,” she said. “There’s definitely a tendency to favor White athletes — both men and women — in marketability. That’s a reality I recognize, and I try to use my position to push back against that.”
