What happened: The WNBA named Paige Bueckers the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award on Thursday. The league recognized Bueckers for her off-court service initiatives across education, food security, and youth mentorship.

Why it matters: The honor follows an on-court campaign where Bueckers earned 2026 All-WNBA Second Team honors in October. The annual award spotlights community-building efforts across the league as players expand philanthropic programs during the offseason.

What to watch: Bueckers and the league prepare for offseason program rollouts ahead of the 2027 WNBA season.