Paige Bueckers
Born 2001 · Age 24
American professional basketball player. Star at Hopkins HS and UConn; 2025 No.1 pick by Dallas Wings; multiple national player of the year awards and international youth gold medals.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Edina, Minnesota
Paige Madison Bueckers was born in Edina and grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Started playing basketball
Began playing organized basketball at age five; also played baseball (catcher), football and soccer before focusing on basketball by first grade.
Played above grade level (7th grade)
As a seventh-grader, Bueckers played on Hopkins High School's 10th-grade and junior varsity teams.
Received early Division I scholarship offers
By eighth grade/age 14 she had scholarship offers from Minnesota, Iowa State and Illinois (and significant recruiting interest nationwide).
Joined Hopkins varsity as an eighth grader
Joined Hopkins High School varsity in eighth grade, averaged 8.9 PPG, and helped team to a 28–3 record and state runner-up finish (All-Tournament selection).
Freshman season statistical breakout
Averaged 20.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.1 APG and 4.5 SPG; Hopkins finished 31–1 and lost in Class 4A state championship.
High school varsity debut (freshman)
Freshman debut for Hopkins HS: 28 points, five steals and four assists in 74–34 win over Osseo.
FIBA Americas U16 Championship gold (2017)
Represented USA and won gold at the 2017 FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship in Argentina.
Sophomore season awards and performance
Averaged 22.3 PPG, 6.8 APG and 5.9 RPG; led Hopkins to a 28–4 record; named Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year (first sophomore to win Metro award).
Youth Olympic gold medal in 3x3 basketball
Won gold at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires as part of the U.S. 3x3 team.
Sophomore season ankle injury
Sidelined in January 2018 with an ankle injury that had bothered her for two months.
Repeat high-school honors and AAU move
Repeated as Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year and Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year; moved AAU program to Minnesota Metro Stars.
Career-high 43 points (junior)
Scored a high of 43 points in a 69–66 win over Wayzata HS and surpassed 2,000 career points.
Won Class 4A state championship (junior)
Despite illness earlier that day, posted 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds and five steals in 74–45 title win; Hopkins finished 32–0.
Committed to UConn
Announced commitment to the University of Connecticut (chosen over a group of elite finalists).
FIBA U19 World Cup gold and MVP
At the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Bangkok, averaged 11.6 PPG and tournament-high 5.4 APG; named MVP and won gold with USA.
Named AAU Player of the Year by Prep Girls Hoops
Recognized as AAU Player of the Year for outstanding AAU season.
Signed National Letter of Intent to UConn
Signed her NLI to attend and play for UConn Huskies (11th No.1 recruit to attend UConn since 1998).
Named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year
Recognized by USA Basketball for accomplishments in 2019.
Senior season honors and season cancellation
Senior stats: averaged 21.4 PPG, 9.4 APG, 5.4 SPG and 5.0 RPG; led Hopkins to undefeated season and 62 consecutive wins; state title game canceled March 13 due to COVID-19.
High school national player of the year awards (2020)
Won Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Morgan Wootten Player of the Year, McDonald's All-American selection and other national honors (many games canceled due to COVID).
First female high school player on SLAM cover
Featured on the cover of basketball magazine SLAM — first female high school player to be so honored.
UConn collegiate debut
Made her college debut for UConn with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals in a 79–23 win over UMass Lowell.
32-point game vs St. John's — freshman historic scoring
Posted 32 points and seven assists; highest-scoring performance by a UConn freshman since 2007.
31 points vs No.1 South Carolina in overtime win
Recorded 31 points, six steals and five assists, scoring final 13 points as UConn upset top-ranked South Carolina; part of three straight 30-point games as a freshman.
Program-record 14 assists in a game
Recorded 20 points and a UConn single-game record 14 assists in a 97–68 win over Butler.
Big East tournament Most Outstanding Player (freshman)
Led UConn to the Big East tournament title and was named tournament MOP after 23 points in the final.
Advanced UConn to Final Four (Freshman Elite Eight hero)
Scored 28 points to lead UConn to a 69–67 Elite Eight win over Baylor, sending the team to the Final Four.
Won major national player of the year awards as a freshman
Became the first freshman to win AP Player of the Year, Naismith Trophy, USBWA National Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award; also won Nancy Lieberman Award and multiple freshman-of-year honors.
Won Best Female College Athlete ESPY
Recognized by ESPN/ESPYs as Best Female College Athlete (2021).
Filed trademark for 'Paige Buckets'
Filed for trademark on her nickname for use on athletic apparel and merchandise.
Signed NIL representation with Wasserman
Signed with agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas of Wasserman following NCAA NIL rule changes (Aug 2021).
Underwent right-ankle surgery for osteochondral defect
Surgery on April 30, 2021 repaired bone/cartilage damage in right ankle (required offseason recovery; cleared by October).
First major endorsement deals (StockX and Gatorade)
Signed endorsement deals with StockX and became the first college athlete to sign with Gatorade (Nov 2021).
Sophomore season debut — 34 points vs Arkansas
Returned from offseason surgery to open sophomore season with 34 points, matching program record for season opener.
Suffered left knee tibial plateau fracture
Injured left knee vs Notre Dame; MRI showed tibial plateau fracture and later a lateral meniscus tear; expected 6–8 week recovery.
Underwent knee surgery (Dec 13, 2021)
Surgery to repair tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscus tear; expected extended recovery and missed a large portion of season.
Recognized as 'face of NIL' & Best NIL Athlete award
Inaugural winner of Sports Business Journal Best NIL Athlete of the Year and widely described as a leading NIL athlete.
Created 'Buckets with Bueckers' youth clinics and foundation activities
Hosted youth basketball clinics and philanthropic efforts in Minnesota and Montana; later opened pop-up grocery events and school stores with partners.
Launched Paige Bueckers Foundation with Cash App partnership
Announced partnership with Cash App and launched her foundation aimed at social justice and opportunities for families and children.
Cleared to return (limited minutes) vs St. John's
Returned to action under minutes restriction, playing 13 minutes and scoring eight points.
Elite Eight double-overtime 27 points vs NC State (MOP)
Scored 27 points (10-15 FGs) including 15 in the two overtimes to lead UConn to its 14th straight Final Four; named Bridgeport Regional MOP.
Named first student-athlete brand ambassador for Chegg; hosted pop-up grocery market
Partnered with Chegg and nonprofit Goodr to host a free pop-up grocery market addressing food insecurity among college students.
National Championship game appearance (2022)
UConn lost 64–49 to South Carolina in the title game; Bueckers was the only Husky in double figures with 14 points and was named to Final Four All-Tournament Team.
Instagram account reached 1 million followers
Became reportedly the first women's college basketball player to reach 1M followers on Instagram.
Tore ACL in left knee during pick-up game
Suffered an ACL tear on Aug 1; UConn announced on Aug 3 she would miss the entire 2022–23 season and she redshirted.
Announced return to UConn for 2023–24 (declined 2023 WNBA draft)
Despite being draft-eligible, Bueckers announced she would return to UConn to continue her collegiate career and rehab.
Fully cleared to return to all court activities
UConn announced Bueckers had been fully cleared to resume play after ACL rehab (Aug 9, 2023).
Signed multiyear deal with Nike and promoted GT Hustle 2
Signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Nike; promoted GT Hustle 2 and later had a special colorway of GT Hustle 3 — first college athlete to have her own Nike shoe.
Redshirt junior season debut (post-ACL)
Returned for the 2023–24 season, debuting with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in a 102–58 win over Dayton.
Scored 31 points vs No.2 UCLA
Notched 31 points in a high-profile loss at the Cayman Islands Classic.
Reached 1,000 career points in 55 games
Tied Maya Moore as the fastest UConn player to 1,000 career points (55 games).
Named to Fortune 40 Under 40 and The Athletic's 40 Under 40 (2022)
Recognized as one of the most influential young people in business/college sports (listed in 2022).
Season-high 32 points vs Seton Hall (2023–24)
Scored a season-high 32 points and seven rebounds in an 83–59 victory.
Announced return to UConn for 2024–25
Despite projections as a top-three pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Bueckers announced she would return for a final season (Feb 16, 2024).
Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2024)
Named MOP after a 27-point, five-block performance in the championship win over Georgetown.
Elite Eight 28-point performance vs USC — Portland 3 Regional MOP
Posted 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, earning Portland 3 Regional MOP honors as UConn advanced to Final Four.
Final Four appearance (2024)
Scored 17 points in UConn's Final Four loss to Iowa; named unanimous first-team All-American (2024).
Graduated from UConn
Graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor's degree in human development & family sciences.
Named Big East Preseason Player of the Year and AP preseason All-American
Entered her final collegiate season as an AP preseason All-American and Big East Preseason Player of the Year.
Opened senior season (2024–25) strong
Season opener vs Boston University: 13 points, seven assists and five steals in an 86–32 win.
Scored 29 points vs North Carolina
Scored 29 points (16 in first quarter) in a 69–58 win over AP No. 14 North Carolina (eight days after opener).
Baha Mar Championship final — 29 points vs Ole Miss
Scored 29 points to lead UConn to a 73–60 victory over Ole Miss in the Baha Mar Championship final.
Selected No.1 overall in 2025 WNBA Draft by Dallas Wings
Chosen first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings (UConn's sixth No.1 pick).
Confirmed personal relationship with Azzi Fudd
In 2025 Bueckers confirmed she is in a relationship with former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd.
Left knee sprain (Jan 5, 2025)
Suffered a left knee sprain after a collision vs Villanova and missed the next two games.
Fastest in UConn history to 2,000 career points
Reached 2,000 career points after 102 career games, the fastest in program history.
Upset vs No.4 South Carolina — double-double
Recorded 12 points and 10 assists (first double-double of the season) in an 87–58 win.
Big East tournament MOP — third time
Recorded 24 points and eight rebounds in a 70–50 win over Creighton; became the first player to win Big East tournament MOP three times.
Second round NCAA: 34 points vs South Dakota State
Scored 34 points in a 91–57 win in the NCAA tournament second round.
Announced entry into 2025 WNBA Draft
Declared for the 2025 WNBA draft (widely projected as the No.1 overall pick).
Career-high 40 points in Sweet 16 vs Oklahoma
Scored a career-high 40 points (29 in the second half) — first UConn player to score 40 in an NCAA tournament game.
Elite Eight — 31 points, Spokane 4 Regional MOP
Posted 31 points and 6 assists, named Spokane 4 Regional Most Outstanding Player and tied program record with three straight 30-point games.
Won first NCAA National Championship (2025)
Helped UConn win the national title with an 82–59 win over top-seeded South Carolina; scored 17 points in the championship game.
Wade Trophy and unanimous All-American (2025)
Awarded the Wade Trophy as the top NCAA Division I player and was a unanimous first-team All-American for the third time.
Signed reported 3-year deal with Unrivaled
ESPN reported a 3-year deal with three-on-three league Unrivaled; first year reportedly pays more than her entire four-year WNBA rookie contract.
Won Honda Sports Award (2025)
Announced as the winner of the 2025 Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.
WNBA regular-season debut
Made WNBA regular-season debut for the Dallas Wings, scoring 10 points in a 112–78 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
First WNBA double-double
Recorded 12 points and 10 assists (first WNBA career double-double) in an 85–81 loss to the Minnesota Lynx (five days after debut).
First WNBA win and big performance
Scored 21 points and had 7 assists in Dallas Wings' first win of the season vs the Connecticut Sun.
WNBA career-high 35 points
Scored a new career-high 35 points on 13/19 shooting (5 of 7 from three) despite being in concussion protocol and fighting illness.
Selected to 2025 WNBA All-Star Game
Named to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, becoming the eighth rookie to be an All-Star starter.
June 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Month
Named June 2025 Rookie of the Month after averaging 21.6 PPG, 5.0 APG and 1.7 SPG.
July 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Month
Named July 2025 Rookie of the Month after averaging 18.2 PPG, 5.2 APG and 1.8 SPG.
Broke Wings rookie assist record; fastest rookie to 500 points & 100 assists
Recorded 29 points and broke Dallas Wings rookie assist record with 143rd assist; became the fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach 500 points and 100 assists.
Key Achievement Ages
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