Paige Bueckers‘ Minnesota Homecoming: More Than Just a Game
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Can a single basketball game symbolize the culmination of dreams, community pride, and the future of a sport? For Paige Bueckers, Tuesday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx is precisely that.
A Full-Circle Moment for a Hometown Hero
Returning to Minnesota isn’t just another road trip for Bueckers; it’s a homecoming. The Edina native and Hopkins High School legend is stepping back onto familiar hardwood, a place where her basketball journey began.
“I’m always happy to be back home,” bueckers shared, highlighting the significance of playing in front of her community once again.
Reconnecting with Minnesota Roots
While her WNBA career takes her across the country, bueckers maintains strong ties to her minnesota roots. She values the support she receives from those who watched her rise through the ranks.
While she hasn’t spoken recently with Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve or former Minnesota stars like Lindsay WhalenBueckers said they always supported her.
“I know I can always reach out,” Bueckers emphasized. “Not during competition, of course, but during the offseason – they’ve always been willing to talk and offer advice.”
Playing in Front of Her People
Bueckers expects a strong turnout of family and friends for Tuesday’s game, with many former teammates from Hopkins and her AAU days planning to attend.
“I have a lot of family – my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents – and then a lot of my former teammates from Hopkins and my AAU teams coming out to support,” Bueckers said. “Just to have them here means everything to me, just ’cause they’ve been a huge part of my story in getting here.So having their support is gonna be amazing.”
A Hopkins native and Hopkins High School legend, Paige Bueckers returns to the same hardwood where she first made headlines as a teenager. Before she won the Wooden Award and led UConn to the 2025 national championship game, Bueckers led Hopkins to the 2019 state championship and was named the 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Widely regarded as the top high school player in the country, she went on to star at UConn, where she won the Wooden Award as a freshman in 2021 and earned three first-team All-America selections.
Dallas selected her No. 1 overall in April 2025, just weeks after she led UConn to the NCAA title game. However, her legacy extends beyond basketball for the 19,000 residents of Hopkins. During high school, she helped start and support a community food market in Hopkins, which she continues to support through donations and local involvement. Her commitment to the community is a notable reason the town takes pride in her achievements and wants to honor what she represents on and off the court.
For bueckers, playing in front of family, friends, and the next generation of Minnesota hoopers is more than a homecoming, celebrating the state’s basketball tradition.
She also acknowledged the symbolic significance of playing in front of younger players from Minnesota, many of whom grew up watching her rise through the ranks.
“Just like I was once that kid looking up to WNBA players and wanting to be like them – that’s why you wear this jersey,” Bueckers recalled. “It’s for the ones who came before and for the next generation. To show young girls and anyone in the stands that it’s possible to get here through hard work, determination, and faith – that’s really special.”
Representing Minnesota
Though Minnesota is often labeled the “State of Hockey,” Bueckers believes basketball deserves its place in the spotlight.
“I think it’s a basketball state – maybe not as much as hockey – but it’s up there,” Bueckers said. “The continued success and talent coming out of Minnesota is high level. I credit that to the winters being so cold that you don’t want to be anywhere but inside a gym.”
She pointed to the Lynx’s success, the growing momentum of youth and collage basketball, and the Timberwolves’ resurgence behind Anthony Edwards as the team enters a second consecutive Western Conference Finals series as key parts of the state’s basketball identity.
“It’s a great time to be part of Minnesota basketball,” she added.
Tuesday’s game won’t be the first time Bueckers has played on the Target Centre floor, but it will carry a different meaning.
“first pro game back here in Minnesota… to play at all three levels here is really cool,” Bueckers explained, referencing her past appearances at the high school state tournament and the NCAA Final Four.
Despite the fast pace of her rookie season, she’s focused on enjoying every stop, whether it’s her first game back at home in Minnesota or looking forward to playing in Connecticut again. She has cherished every day in a schedule full of first-time experiences.
“I try to enjoy every single moment. This one’s a little sweeter because it’s back home,” Bueckers said. “But even if it were in Las Vegas or Connecticut or Seattle – it would still be special. I want to enjoy every moment with the team. Road trips are fun, and I never want to take any of these opportunities for granted.”
If time allows, she may even hit some of her favorite hometown food spots.
“Bruegger’s Bagels is actually my spot,” Bueckers revealed. “Noodles & Company, Jimmy John’s, Leeann Chin – they might not be minnesota staples to everybody, but they are to me.”
Focused on Leading the Dallas Wings
While the homecoming is special, Bueckers and the Wings also focus on avenging their season-opening 99-84 loss to the Lynx. Despite entering halftime tied at 46, Dallas was blitzed in the third quarter, outscored 35-20 as Napheesa Collier poured in 18 of her 34 points and Courtney Williams added 15. Minnesota shot 68.4% in the period, breaking the game open with a flurry of midrange jumpers, transition finishes, and crisp ball movement out of the pick-and-roll.
” I think our defense on the point of attack, and Courtney Williams and Phee’s ability to really get whatever they wanted out of the pick and roll – so I think we need to be better at the point of attack and trying to congest the paint and not let so many easy touches, paint touches in there where they get out and spray and make the extra pass and get great movement on offense,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com.
“And then just attacking offensively, I know just trying to get more in transition, trying to get more paint touches, trying to get more changing sides of the floor,” Bueckers continued. “But I think Phee and courtney really killed us in the first game, so trying to clean it up on that end.”
Bueckers has averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks over her first two WNBA games, quickly proving her poise and playmaking. She opened her career with 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in the season opener against the Lynx. She followed that performance with 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block in 37 minutes during a 79-71 loss to the Seattle Storm.
Bueckers has displayed adaptability as she transitions into the professional game. Expectations are high as she continues to evolve in her rookie season, not just from herself, but for everyone following her journey.
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Paige Bueckers’ Minnesota Homecoming: A Deep Dive with WNBA Expert Dr. Anya Sharma
Keywords: Paige Bueckers,WNBA,Minnesota Lynx,Dallas Wings,women’s basketball,homecoming,community impact,basketball in Minnesota,WNBA rookie season.
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. Paige bueckers’ return to Minnesota is generating significant buzz.This isn’t just another WNBA game, is it?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely not. This game transcends the sport. It’s a powerful convergence of personal history,community pride,and the increasing visibility of women’s basketball. For Paige,returning to play against the Lynx is a full-circle moment,almost a validation of her journey from local phenom to WNBA star.
Time.news: The article highlights Bueckers’ strong connection to her Minnesota roots. How significant is that connection for athletes, especially when navigating the pressures of professional sports?
Dr.Sharma: That connection is paramount, especially early in a career. Maintaining ties to your support system – family, friends, former coaches – provides a grounding force. It’s a reminder of who you are outside of basketball, which is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and perspective amidst the intensity of the WNBA. The article mentions her ability to still reach out to Cheryl Reeve and Lindsay Whalen, legends in the sport and Minnesota natives – those connections are invaluable for advice and support.
Time.news: Bueckers emphasizes playing “in front of her people” and inspiring the next generation. What’s the broader impact of a WNBA player embracing this role model position?
Dr. Sharma: It’s transformative. Visibility is key to growing the game of women’s basketball. When young girls, and boys for that matter, see someone like Paige dominating on the court and actively engaging with her community, it inspires them to pursue their own dreams. It also normalizes the idea of women in sports, challenging customary gender roles and opening up opportunities for future generations. More generally, it is indeed crucial for any young person to have a role model they believe in, that understands their journey.
Time.news: Minnesota is better known for hockey, but Bueckers argues for its growing basketball identity, citing the Lynx, college basketball, and the Timberwolves. Is she right? Is Minnesota a basketball state?
Dr. Sharma: I think she makes a valid point. While hockey undeniably holds a strong place in minnesota’s sporting culture, basketball is undoubtedly on the rise. The Lynx’s history of success definitely helps. Moreover, the state definitely has a strong history of producing top-tier talent which extends beyond Paige Bueckers. The Timberwolves’ recent success is also supercharged by Anthony Edwards and is increasing awareness of the sport on a broader scale.These factors combined help to support a vibrant basketball community.
Time.news: The article mentions Bueckers’ support for a community food market in Hopkins. How significant is this off-court involvement for an athlete’s legacy?
Dr. Sharma: It’s incredibly significant. It demonstrates that Bueckers isn’t just focused on basketball; she’s invested in the well-being of her community. These kinds of initiatives resonate deeply with fans and contribute to a powerful legacy that extends far beyond statistics and championships. It’s about using her platform to effect positive change.The impact of this kind of work is much larger for the younger generation since she is setting herself apart as someone dedicated and invested in the community.
Time.news: Shifting to on-court performance,the article references the Wings’ previous loss to the Lynx and Bueckers’ focus on improving their defense,especially against Collier and williams.What specific tactical adjustments might be effective?
Dr. Sharma: From Bueckers’ comments, containing Collier and Williams is critical to the Wings’ prospects for victory. To limit their impact, the wings need to focus on point of attack defense. She discusses the need to “congest the paint” and prevent “easy touches,” so the Wings need to bring immediate help when the Lynx enter the paint and potentially use some form of zone defense to provide additional pressure. Also, disrupting the pick-and-roll will be crucial, forcing tougher shots and limiting easy passing lanes. on the offense, the team needs to drive more transition opportunities coupled with increased paint touches.
Time.news: Bueckers’ rookie season is closely watched. What’s one piece of advice you’d give her as she navigates expectations and transitions to the WNBA?
Dr. Sharma: My advice to Bueckers would be to remain true to herself and focusing on enjoying the journey. Despite the pressure for her to perform, it is vital that she continues to prioritize her physical and mental well-being, and never lose sight of why she loves the game. Rely on your support system, stay grounded in your values, focus on continuous learning, and enjoy the ride. The WNBA is a challenging league; perseverance and resilience will be key.
