Paige Bueckers Ready to Shine in WNBA Spotlight
Star Tribune
Full Circle Moment for Bueckers
Paige Bueckers, the celebrated basketball sensation from Minnesota, is set to embark on her professional career in the WNBA. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings, Bueckers will face off against the Minnesota Lynx on Friday, in a season opener that is both highly anticipated and deeply personal.
From Hopkins to the WNBA
Raised in Hopkins, Minnesota, Bueckers quickly made a name for herself as a standout player at Hopkins High School and later at UConn, where she led her team to a national championship. Her journey in basketball has been nothing short of extraordinary, culminating in her draft as the top pick.
Excitement Ahead
As Bueckers prepares for her inaugural game, she reflects on the significance of playing against the Lynx, a team she grew up idolizing. “It’s full circle,” says Bueckers. “Growing up, being a fan of the Lynx, having their poster and shoes in my room. Now, being on the opposite side, where you want to compete, win, beat them? Just full circle.”
Coaching Influence
Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Lynx, first noticed Bueckers when she was just 12 years old at a gym in St. Louis Park. Impressed by Bueckers’ skills, Reeve introduced herself and even worked with her on drills. This early interaction has often been cited as the beginning of Bueckers’ professional aspirations.
The Start of Something New
In Friday’s match, the Lynx will seek to advance further than their last season, which ended with a disappointing loss in the WNBA Finals against New York. For Bueckers, this game marks the start of her career in a league filled with expectations and hopes. “I know she uses this term a lot, but it’s surreal,” commented her father, Bob Bueckers, on the emotional weight of this moment.
Bueckers’ Legacy
Beyond personal achievement, Paige Bueckers carries the aspirations of a generation of basketball players. She aims to inspire the next wave of talent from Minnesota, reinforcing that the state is not just a hockey hub but a formidable force in women’s basketball. As Lindsay Whalen, a WNBA legend, once told her, “You have the torch now of women’s basketball in this state.” This sentiment resonates deeply with Bueckers as she steps into the limelight.
- First overall pick in the WNBA draft
- Launch of her professional career against the Minnesota Lynx
- Deep-rooted connections with Coach Reeve and former UConn players
- Enduring influence and legacy in Minnesota basketball
Looking Forward
As much as Friday’s game is about competition, it is also about connection. With ties to the Lynx through former teammates and friendships, Bueckers is ready to carry the torch into a new era for women’s sports.
In an emotional tribute to the sporting community, she expressed, “Life is great. God makes no mistakes. Everything happens for a reason. I’m glad it worked out this way.” With her poise and skill, Paige Bueckers is poised to make significant waves in the WNBA.
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