Paige Bueckers Wins 2026 WNBA Dawn Staley Leadership Award

Paige Bueckers has added another honor to her rapidly growing basketball résumé, but this one has almost nothing 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, June 11, 2026.

The award recognizes players who demonstrate a spirit of leadership, love for the game, charitable efforts, and the ability to inspire others.

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

Bueckers is the latest player to receive the honor.

In a statement released by the league, Bueckers said: "With every partnership I take on, it's really important to me to include a charity or community engagement component."

She continued: "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."

Bueckers added: "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 closed: "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 issued a statement 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."

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

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

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.

Bueckers has carried that commitment to North Texas since joining the Wings.

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 in the Dallas area.

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

Good Sports provides athletic equipment and apparel to children in underserved communities.

For Bueckers, the recognition reflects work that continued well beyond the basketball season.

On the court, Bueckers had a stellar sophomore 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.

She played in 42 games.

Her play led the Wings to the WNBA playoffs.

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

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is named after one of the most decorated figures in women's basketball history.

Staley won three Olympic gold medals as a player and three NCAA championships as head coach at South Carolina.

The award was created in 2008 to honor players who make a difference off the court.

Past winners include some of the league's most prominent community leaders.

Bueckers now joins that list.

The timing of the award added another layer to the story.

Around the same week the award was announced, an old message from Maryland freshman Addi Mack resurfaced.

Mack had written, years earlier: "All I want to do is play like Paige Bueckers."

The message resurfaced after Mack headlined Maryland's matchup against South Carolina.

Mack is now a standout player in her own right.

The connection between Bueckers' award and Mack's old words created a full-circle moment for fans.

Bueckers' impact on the next generation is now documented in more than just stats.

The award itself carries a $10,000 donation to Good Sports.

Good Sports distributes equipment and clothing to children who otherwise could not afford it.

The organization works with schools and community programs across the country.

Bueckers chose Good Sports as the recipient of the donation.

She has said that access to sports changed her life.

She wants to make sure other children have the same opportunity.

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is one of several honors the WNBA gives each season.

The league also presents awards for Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and others.

But the Staley award is unique because it focuses entirely on off-court impact.

Bueckers' win places her alongside some of the league's most respected figures.

The award also highlights the growing visibility of community work in professional sports.

More players are using their platforms to address social issues and support local causes.

Bueckers has been particularly active in youth development.

Her free basketball camps attract hundreds of girls each summer.

She has also worked with organizations that fight hunger.

She has spoken publicly about the importance of education access.

Her work in Minnesota, where she played college basketball at UConn, continues even after she moved to Dallas.

The renovated basketball court she helped fund is still used by local youth leagues.

In Texas, she has built relationships with community groups in the Dallas area.

The Wings have a strong community outreach program, and Bueckers has been a central part of it.

She has visited schools, hospitals, and recreation centers.

She has participated in reading programs.

She has signed autographs and posed for photos with young fans.

None of that work comes with a stat line.

But the WNBA recognized it with the Staley award.

Bueckers' statement made clear that the work is personal for her.

She mentioned the communities that invested in her.

She said she wants to pay that forward.

That sentiment is at the core of the award.

The award also carries Staley's personal endorsement.

Staley is known for her own extensive community work.

She has been a vocal advocate for social justice and youth programs.

She has built a basketball empire at South Carolina while staying active in charity.

Her name on the award gives it additional weight.

For Bueckers, receiving the award from Staley is a significant milestone.

Bueckers has long cited Staley as an inspiration.

The two have a mutual respect that goes back years.