“I’m very proud of her, but also just happy for her,” Bob Bueckers said, tears streaming down his face — and he wasn’t alone. Minnesota had turned into Paige Bueckers’ country for her WNBA debut: streets renamed Bueckers Boulevard, her high school town buzzing, and even a brewery pouring “Paige’s 3-Point Pale” ale on tap. 90 Minutes before tip-off, Paige stood in the middle of it all, eyes wide, soaking in the roar of a hometown that had watched her grow, and quietly said, “That’s crazy.”  It was more than a game — it was a full-circle homecoming, a love letter from Minnesota, and above all, a long-overdue reunion with the reporter who first wrote about her when she was just a sixth grader with a dream.

 The reporter in question— Gary Knox of gPrep wrote on X,— “Full circle moment today, Watched Paige Bueckers, great even as a 6th grader, grow into one of the best. Hearing her call me ‘the originator’ and mention our connection from a 2013 tweet was a reminder of what it’s like to witness her journey from the start.”

That tweet — now folklore in Minnesota hoops circles — dated September 25, 2013, read: “Remember the name: Paige Bueckers. 6th grade, think Diana Taurasi. Best 6th grade G, I’ve ever seen. St. Louis Park.”

Young Paige, who went to the same school as his kids, was just doing her thing on the court that day. Knox wasn’t the only one she had impressed. In fact, in a story by The Athletic, he reveals it was the other parents he had heard about her from. She was up against the older kids then, creating space and getting those jump shots with impressive footwork that reminded Knox of a child prodigy playing Mozart.

“Normally, I’d never write anything about sixth-graders. But she was different,” he’d say. It lit the first spark of a story that would later catch national fire. The following year, she had gone on to play for the tenth-grade and junior varsity basketball teams at Hopkins High. The next year? She was leading her team in three-pointers. Gary Knox was a witness to the whole journey. He knew what he was writing about. 

On media day, Paige smiled when asked about Knox, recalling the countless hours spent in open gyms with his kids. “Me and GPrep go way back,” she said. “ I played with his daughter, played with and against his son all the time in open gyms. Just what the investment and being a part of Minnesota means to me — it means everything.” Now, with her name on street signs and her game under arena lights, that early belief had come full circle — from a tweet to a tribute, from sixth grade to the W.

Dallas Finds Its Silver Lining in Paige Bueckers

And it’s not just Minnesota cheering Paige Bueckers on anymore. Dallas legend Dirk Nowitzki, fresh off 21 seasons with the Mavericks, couldn’t hide his excitement about watching Paige shine in the Lone Star State. Speaking during the Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm game Monday night, Nowitzki praised her talent and the bright future she promises for the Wings franchise.

“It’s going to take a while to, obviously, get used to the physicality in the WNBA, but I think [Bueckers has] got the talent. She’s going to be amazing for us,” said the former power forward. “She’s just going to get better from game to game, from season to season. You already can see now she’s gotten more comfortable out there from game one. She’s going to be tremendous for this organization for a long time.”

After losing Luka Doncic to the Lakers, landing Paige was a silver lining for Nowitzki, a long-time Dallas supporter. The Wings picked Bueckers, fresh off an NCAA championship with UConn in March, as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. In her debut on Friday, she dropped 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and made two assists in 30 minutes.

That performance validated Wings GM Curt Miller’s words when they drafted her: “There’s no doubt. From the moment she walked in the gym, to me, she’s better than advertised.”

Star player Arike Ogunbowale was ecstatic, tweeting on draft night, “I just fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD! 😭😭😭😭” and before Paige’s debut. Afterwards, Ogunbowale also shared her optimism about the team’s future, saying, “The pieces are there. Now I’m just excited to put the work in.”

After the May 18 practice, coach Chris Koclanes praised Paige’s defense, smart plays, and comfort on offense, saying she’s “gonna be just fine” in the WNBA.