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Fans Debating If Paige Bueckers Poorly Represented Team USA In TikTok Video
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- Fans Debating If Paige Bueckers Poorly Represented Team USA In TikTok Video
Paige Bueckers and the United States put on a show Friday, defeating China 94-61 in its opener for the FIBA World Cup. However, the star guard for the Dallas Wings is facing some backlash online.
Bueckers, the No. 1 pick from the 2024 WNBA Draft, was tied for a team-high 14 points against China. She went 6-of-9 from the field and had four assists for her squad, proving to be a valuable asset off the bench.
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Prior to Team USA's convincing win on Friday, star forward Angel Reese posted a TikTok of her teammates dancing while in uniform. One particular clip shows Bueckers twerking against a wall.
It didn't take long for fans to debate whether or not Bueckers' actions came off as unprofessional.
May 9, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates and made basket and foul in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
"Paige Bueckers twerking while wearing USA jersey. Do they use their brain at all?" one person commented on X.
"I understand having fun but to act like this whilst wearing your countries uniform isn't a good look at all," a fan said.
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"There are certain things you do not do while wearing your national team jersey in an international competition," a second fan wrote. "This is one of them. She no longer in college or HS. This team needs strong leaders who would put a stop to all these attention seeking and unprofessional behavior."
"She can do whatever she wants but there are consequences to that. People will see as super cool or not serious about why you are there. I guess it depends on which one she wants to be seen as," another fan added.
It doesn't seem to be an issue.
Bueckers hasn't responded to any of the backlash online nor is she obligated to do so. That being said, her video didn't seem to negatively impact how Team USA performed in its opener.
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Team USA will be back in action Sunday against Italy. That game will be televised on TNT.
It wouldn't shock us at all if Bueckers has another excellent performance for Team USA.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
