Paige Bueckers is now being honored by her hometown after a fascinating professional year. The Hopkins City Council has decided to award a special gesture for the former UConn Huskies star after she made history by becoming the first overall draft pick in the 2025 WNBA draft event on Monday.
A motion made by Laila Imihy in the Hopkins City Council recommended honoring Paige Bueckers’s achievements. The Hopkins City, based in Minnesota, will be renamed Paige Bueckers on May 16th. Though it will only be for one day, this is considered quite a significant achievement. Ironically, her first WNBA game will be against her home state, Minnesota.
On May 16th, Bueckers will make her WNBA debut for the Dallas Wings against the Minnesota Lynx. And her hometown, at least for once, will be rooting for Dallas against their own Minnesota. The Hopkins City Council report has also recommended that businesses have themed specials for the day. Watch parties are also expected to take place all over the city. May 16th in Hopkins is set to turn into a large town fair in honour of Paige Bueckers.
The 23-year-old began her basketball journey playing for Hopkins High School. She was well known for her basketball skills from her high school performances and won multiple accolades. Her achievements include winning the Gatorade National Player-of-the-Year in 2020,
Morgan Wootten Player-of-the-Year in 2020, member of McDonald’s All-American Team in 2020, member of Jordan Brand Classic in 2020, member of USA U17 National Team in 2018, 2019.
Winning the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020, MGBCA 4A All-State in 2020, Member of the USA U16 National Team in 2017. She became a five-star recruit and signed for the University of Connecticut, deciding to play for the UConn Huskies in 2020.
Caitlin Clark was the undisputed face of the WNBA last season. Her talent and charisma drew massive crowds and viewership. Cut to the upcoming 2025 season, Paige Bueckers is having a similar hype after an excellent College basketball year that led her to become the first overall draft pick.
It is safe to say that the clash between Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever and Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings could break all the existing crowd and viewership records. That is already happening. Dallas is set to host the Indiana Fever on June 27. The game was previously scheduled to be played at the College Park Center at the University of Texas-Arlington.
But the drafting of Paige Bueckers to the Dallas Wings and Caitlin Clark’s comments changed everything. Caitlin Clark, in a recent interview with the Houston Chronicle, said, “This arena is fun to play in, it’s small and loud, but honestly, they should move the games to American Airlines because I think Paige has that type of draw.” As a result of that, the WNBA game is moved to the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The arena is home to the Dallas Mavericks team.
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