Paige Bueckers’ Dad Couldn’t Stop Crying as Dallas Wings Rookie Fulfills Childhood Dream vs Minnesota Lynx

It’s a bittersweet feeling when your idols become your rivals. A feeling Paige Bueckers felt when the Wings went against her home-state team, the Minnesota Lynx. Hailing from Hopkins, Minnesota, Paige grew up going to Lynx games and chanting Maya Moore’s name. “It’s definitely full circle how I went to a lot of their games growing up, watching that dynasty play out, I was their biggest fan,” she once said. However, Bueckers is on the other side this time. But her love didn’t stop her from competing the same as that scrawny youngster Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve once spotted.

Bueckers opened the scoring against her childhood favorite by converting a putback on her own miss, finishing the game with 10 points and 7 rebounds. While the Wings couldn’t secure the win, their opponents were coming off a Finals run and remain strong contenders. Hence, Paige knew the game wouldn’t be easy and would be using it as a stepping stone for the future. “The first one’s always the hardest,” Bueckers said. “Not to say that it won’t get harder, but just being able to have a starting point … and then continue to build off that.” While Paige’s comments filled the concerned fans with hope, there was one man with Bueckers on his back who just couldn’t care less about the result. Paige’s dad, Bob Bueckers.

During the game, Bob was asked how proud he was of his daughter, and as he answered the question, emotions came over him. “ I’m very proud of her, but also just happy for her. She’s living out her childhood dream right now. And to have her first game playing her hometown of the Lynx where she grew up, idolizing is just surreal.” Paige, who is a native of Edina, has a deep connection with Minnesota. It is here that the legend of Paige started as she broke record after record for Hopkins High. Recognizing her role in the sport and in the Hopkins community, the City of Hopkins even renamed itself Paige Bueckers, Minnesota, ahead of her WNBA debut to honor and support her. 

While Paige is still Minnesota through and through, her matchup against the Lynx provided a full-circle moment that overwhelmed her father. “Yeah, I started crying during warm-ups, I think. But yeah, it’s something she’s dreamt about her whole life. And she’s been working really hard. And you can see her progress to this point, to finally be here.” said Bob. To Bob, it wasn’t just the projected Rookie of the Year taking the floor, it was that same 5-year-old girl whose journey he’s observed for years. And when nobody even knew who she was, Bob was still a fan.

How did Bob facilitate Bueckers’ basketball journey?

Paige grew up with her dad, who is a software developer with a hoops resume in his past. Bob was also a point guard back in high school and picked up on his daughter’s interest in basketball at a young age. Although he signed her up for multiple sports, Paige ultimately gravitated towards basketball and hasn’t looked back since.

For Bob, his job was to make sure his daughter had the tools she required to succeed. As a former player himself, he understood the challenges of wanting to be the best and shared his lessons with her. Bob was always present on the sidelines and even brought along Paige’s half-brother, Drew, to support his sister. After all those years, Bob’s support still shines through the same, evident by his presence at the Texas-Arlington Arena today.

This, alongside her love for the sport, helped Bueckers achieve success from an early age. When Bueckers was in 6th grade, her teammate’s dad, who ran a prep basketball website, was left in awe by how good Bueckers was on the court. “Normally, I’d never write anything about sixth-graders, But she was different.” he said “When the older kids tried to rough her up and bump her off her spots, she’d find a way to create space for herself. It was like watching a child prodigy play Mozart”

The man, Gary Knox, then asked Bob Bueckers’ permission to take a photo of his daughter, which he then posted on X, comparing her style to the great Diana Taurasi. And while UConn would come calling years later, it all started from those times when Bob was the only one watching her daughter play. So, as the appreciation for Paige flows in from all sides, it becomes important to remember the people who’ve built her up to the star she is. Because when you see Bueckers play, it is hard to miss her impeccable fundamentals. And the next time you decide to rave over it, be sure to give credit to Bob.

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