Paige Bueckers Wins 2026 Dawn Staley Leadership Award

Paige Bueckers has been named the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

The WNBA announced the honor on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The award recognizes players who demonstrate leadership, charitable efforts, and a commitment to making a difference off the court.

It was established in 2008 and named after Hall of Famer and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.

Bueckers, 24, is the guard for the Dallas Wings.

She was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

In her sophomore WNBA season, she averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1 steal per game.

She shot 31 percent from three-point range over 42 games.

Her play led the Wings to the WNBA playoffs, where they lost to the eventual champion Golden State Valkyries.

But this award is not about her on-court performance.

It is about what she has done in the communities she represents.

Since entering the league, Bueckers has made community involvement a central part of her career.

She has hosted free basketball camps for girls.

She helped renovate a basketball court in Minnesota, where she grew up.

She has supported programs focused on education and food insecurity.

In North Texas, where the Wings are based, she has participated in the team's Unified Game with Special Olympics of North Texas.

She has mentored young athletes through the Wings' Dream Team program.

She has supported local charitable initiatives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The award comes with a $10,000 donation from the league to a nonprofit of Bueckers' choice.

She selected Good Sports, an organization that provides athletic equipment and apparel to children in underserved communities.

In a statement released by the WNBA, Bueckers spoke about the honor.

"With every partnership I take on, it's really important to me to include a charity or community engagement component," she said.

"I've been fortunate to have so many people and communities invest in me throughout my life, and I want to pay that forward by using my platform to create opportunities for the next generation."

"Whether that's through sports, education, food security or mentorship, I want to make sure people have access to opportunities they might not otherwise have."

"Sports have given me so much, and I think they can be such a powerful way to bring people together, build community and create opportunity."

Dawn Staley herself commented on Bueckers winning the award.

"Paige Bueckers embodies the spirit of what this award, established in my name, represents," Staley said in a statement.

"Through her leadership, compassion, and commitment to service, Paige uses her platform to uplift communities and inspire the next generation."

"I'm proud to honor her for making a difference that reaches far beyond basketball."

The award is the latest in a growing list of honors for Bueckers.

She was the No. 1 recruit in high school.

She won the Naismith College Player of the Year at UConn.

She was the top pick in the WNBA Draft.

Now she is being recognized for her work away from the game.

The timing of the announcement has drawn additional attention.

This week, an old message from a high school player named Addi Mack resurfaced online.

Mack, now a standout at Maryland, had written: "All I want to do is play like Paige Bueckers."

The message resurfaced as Mack prepared to headline Maryland's matchup against South Carolina.

The connection between Bueckers' award and Mack's message has sparked conversation among fans.

It highlights the impact Bueckers has had on the next generation of players.

Mack is not alone in citing Bueckers as an inspiration.

Many young players have spoken about wanting to emulate her game.

Bueckers has often said she wants to use her platform to create opportunities for others.

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is one of the WNBA's most prestigious off-court honors.

Past winners include players known for their charitable work and community engagement.

The award is given annually to one player who exemplifies the values Staley represented during her career.

Staley won three Olympic gold medals as a player.

She has won multiple national championships as a coach at South Carolina.

She is widely respected for her own community work and advocacy.

Bueckers joins a list of players who have used their visibility to make a difference.

The $10,000 donation to Good Sports will help provide equipment to children who might not otherwise have access.

Good Sports works with communities across the country.

The organization aims to level the playing field for kids in need.

Bueckers' choice reflects her focus on youth sports and access.

She has been open about how sports changed her life.

She grew up in Minnesota and began playing basketball at a young age.

Her father was her first coach.

She has said that without access to courts and equipment, her path would have been different.

That experience has shaped her approach to giving back.

The award also comes during a period of growth for the WNBA.

The league has seen rising attendance and viewership.

New teams have been added, including the Golden State Valkyries.

The league's profile has grown significantly in recent years.

Bueckers has been one of the faces of that growth.

Her arrival in the league brought a wave of attention.

She has endorsement deals with major brands.

She has appeared on national television and in advertising campaigns.

But she has consistently emphasized that her off-court work matters as much as her on-court achievements.

In her statement, she made clear that community engagement is not an afterthought for her.

It is a core part of how she approaches her career.

"I want to make sure people have access to opportunities they might not otherwise have," she said.

The WNBA season is now over.

The Wings finished with a strong record and made the playoffs.

Bueckers will have time to rest before the next season begins.

But her community work does not stop when the season ends.

She has committed to continuing her efforts year-round.