Paige Bueckers Wins 2026 WNBA Community Leadership Award

The WNBA announced Thursday that Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

The award was established in 2008 and named after Hall of Fame player and coach Dawn Staley.

It recognizes a current WNBA player whose leadership, charitable work and commitment to serving others reflect Staley’s example.

Bueckers is in her second WNBA season after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 draft.

She averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists across 42 regular-season games this year.

She earned her second consecutive All-WNBA Second Team selection and made her first All-Star start.

Bueckers led the Wings to a 27-17 record and the seventh seed in the playoffs.

Dallas lost its first-round series to the eventual champion Golden State Valkyries.

But the award announced Thursday focuses on work done away from the court.

Bueckers has supported several initiatives in Minnesota, her home state, and in Dallas, where she plays professionally.

In Minnesota, she partnered with Gatorade to renovate a basketball court.

She donated $25,000 to Athletic Committed Enlightened Scholars, an organization that supports student-athletes.

She organized a free basketball camp for 95 girls.

Through her partnership with Goodr, a company that fights food waste and hunger, she funded a free grocery store at Hopkins West Junior High School.

In Dallas, Bueckers participated in the Wings’ Unified Game with Special Olympics of North Texas.

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

As part of the recognition, the WNBA will donate $10,000 to Good Sports, a nonprofit selected by Bueckers.

Good Sports provides sports equipment, apparel and footwear to children in underserved communities.

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 continued: “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 also commented on Bueckers receiving the award named in her honor.

“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.”

Bueckers’ on-court performance this season was also notable.

She averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1 steal per game while shooting 31 percent from three-point range.

She played in all 42 regular-season games.

The Wings improved from missing the playoffs in Bueckers’ rookie year to reaching the postseason in her sophomore campaign.

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award has been given annually since 2008.

Past winners include some of the most respected players in WNBA history.

The award is named for Staley, a six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame inductee who now coaches the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team.

Staley is widely recognized for her own community work and advocacy.

The WNBA selects the winner based on nominations from teams and a review of each player’s charitable and community engagement efforts.

Bueckers’ work in both Minnesota and Dallas gave her a strong case for the honor.

Her partnership with Goodr to address food insecurity at a middle school drew particular attention.

Hopkins West Junior High School, where Bueckers funded the free grocery store, is located in her home state.

The free basketball camp she organized served 95 girls, providing instruction and mentorship.

Her $25,000 donation to Athletic Committed Enlightened Scholars supports student-athletes pursuing higher education.

The court renovation with Gatorade created a new public basketball space in Minnesota.

In Dallas, her work with Special Olympics of North Texas and the Wings’ Dream Team program focused on inclusion and youth development.

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

Bueckers’ statement emphasized that community engagement is a deliberate part of every partnership she takes on.

She framed the work as a way to return the investment others have made in her.

“I want to pay that forward by using my platform to create opportunities for the next generation,” she said.

Staley’s statement praised Bueckers for making a difference beyond basketball.

The award recognizes that the impact of WNBA players extends far beyond what happens on the court.

Bueckers joins a list of winners that includes players known for activism, philanthropy and community building.

The announcement came as the WNBA offseason begins, with teams preparing for the 2027 season.

Bueckers will now have the award as part of her growing collection of professional honors.

She has already earned Rookie of the Year, two All-WNBA selections and an All-Star start.

The community leadership award adds a different kind of recognition to her resume.

It acknowledges work that does not show up in box scores or highlight reels.