NEW YORK – The WNBA announced today that Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers has been named the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in recognition of her commitment to expanding access to sports, education, and essential resources for young people and families.

Established in 2008 and named in honor of WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Dawn Staley, the award recognizes a current WNBA player who reflects Staley’s spirit, leadership, charitable efforts, love for the game, and inspirational presence. It celebrates a player whose meaningful commitment to service distinguishes them as a leader in the communities most important to them.

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

“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. 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.”

From her home state of Minnesota to her WNBA home in Dallas, Bueckers has used her platform and partnerships to create opportunities for others. Her efforts have helped address food insecurity, support students and families, and give young athletes access to basketball and mentorship.

In Minnesota, Bueckers partnered with Gatorade to refurbish a court where she played growing up and provide a $25,000 donation to Athletic Committed Enlightened Scholars, a nonprofit with the mission of supporting student-athletes through mental health support, socio-emotional learning, and academic enrichment. She also held a free basketball camp for 95 middle and high school girls in Minnetonka, combining her love for the game with her commitment to inspiring the next generation.

Bueckers’ support for her hometown community extends beyond basketball. Through her partnership with Goodr, she funded a free grocery store at Hopkins West Junior High School. Earlier this year, she also donated $50,000 to the Hopkins Education Foundation to support Hopkins Public Schools students and families in need.

In Dallas, Bueckers supported programs that connect young people with role models and promote inclusion through basketball. She participated in the Wings’ annual Unified Game with Special Olympics of North Texas, mentored the 12 community players on the Dallas Wings Dream Team during their signing-day event, and appeared at the team’s All Girls Summer Camp to encourage participants.

Bueckers also contributed signed memorabilia to support the Dallas Wings Community Foundation’s fundraising efforts and supported its fifth-anniversary Kicks for a Cause celebration, which raised more than $120,000 for community programs.

“Paige Bueckers represents the true meaning of leadership, both on and off the basketball court. Through her actions, she has demonstrated a commitment to empowering others, inspiring the next generation and using her platform to make a meaningful difference,” added Wings Head Coach Fernandez. “Paige’s impact extends far beyond basketball, making her a role model for young athletes and a leader in the community.”

A designated committee of WNBA and NBA leadership selected Bueckers as the winner of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award. The WNBA will make a $10,000 donation to Good Sports, a nonprofit selected by Bueckers that drives equitable access in youth sports and physical activity, by supporting children in high-need communities to achieve their greatest potential both on the field and in life by creating opportunities in sports and physical activity through donations of new sports equipment, apparel, and footwear.