Paige Bueckers Wins 2026 WNBA Community Leadership Award

Paige Bueckers has added another honor to her growing basketball résumé, but this one has little to do with what she does on the court.

The Dallas Wings guard has been named the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

The WNBA made the announcement on Thursday.

The award recognizes players who represent a spirit of leadership, love for the game, charitable efforts, and inspiration.

It was established in 2008 and named after Dawn Staley, the Hall of Fame player and current South Carolina head coach.

Bueckers spoke about the honor in a statement released by the WNBA.

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

She listed the areas where she focuses her efforts.

"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," she said.

"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 also spoke about Bueckers' win.

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

"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," Staley added.

Since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers has made community involvement a priority.

Her efforts have included hosting free basketball camps for girls.

She helped renovate a basketball court in Minnesota.

She has supported programs focused on education and food insecurity.

She has carried that commitment to North Texas after joining the Wings.

In Texas, she participated in the Wings' Unified Game with Special Olympics of North Texas.

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

She has supported local charitable initiatives.

As part of the honor, the league will donate $10,000 to Good Sports.

Good Sports is a nonprofit selected by Bueckers that provides athletic equipment and apparel to children in underserved communities.

For Bueckers, the recognition is a reflection of work that has continued well beyond the basketball season.

On the court, Bueckers had a stellar sophomore season campaign.

She averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 31% from three in 42 games.

Her play ultimately led her team to the WNBA playoffs.

The Wings lost to the eventual WNBA champion Golden State Valkyries.

Bueckers' community work has drawn attention beyond the award.

A resurfaced message from a young girl named Addi Mack has been shared widely.

In the old message, Mack wrote, "All I want to do is play like Paige Bueckers."

The message resurfaced after Mack went on to headline Maryland's matchup against South Carolina.

The South Carolina game is significant because Dawn Staley coaches the Gamecocks.

Staley is the namesake of the award Bueckers just won.

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is given annually to a WNBA player.

Past winners have included players known for their off-court impact.

The award comes with a $10,000 donation to a charity of the winner's choice.

Bueckers chose Good Sports, which has provided equipment to millions of children.

Good Sports works with communities across the United States.

The nonprofit focuses on removing barriers to youth sports participation.

Bueckers' selection for the award was announced in early November 2026.

The timing coincides with the start of the WNBA offseason.

Bueckers is expected to continue her community work during the break.

The award adds to a growing list of honors for the 24-year-old guard.

She was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of UConn.

At UConn, she was a national player of the year and led the Huskies to multiple Final Fours.

Her transition to the WNBA was seamless, earning All-Star honors as a rookie.

Now in her second season, she has established herself as one of the league's top players.

But her off-court impact is what earned her this particular recognition.

The WNBA has a history of honoring players for community service.

The league's Community Assist Award is given monthly during the season.

The Dawn Staley Award is the league's highest honor for community leadership.

Staley herself has been a model of community engagement throughout her career.

She has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives in Philadelphia and Columbia, South Carolina.

Bueckers said she hopes to follow that example.

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

The $10,000 donation to Good Sports will help provide equipment to children in need.