Paige Bueckers, one of the most celebrated players in college basketball, ended her remarkable career with the UConn Huskies in spectacular fashion.
The Huskies‘ 82-59 victory over South Carolina in the 2025 NCAA Tournament championship game marked the pinnacle of Bueckers‘ journey, and the pride of her home state, Minnesota, was evident on social media following the victory.
A Minnesota Connection
Bueckers, who hails from Minneapolis, has never strayed too far from her Minnesota roots, even as she made her mark in Connecticut. Just after UConn’s dominant championship win, the Minnesota Vikings, a team close to Bueckers‘ heart, took to social media to honor her.
The Vikings’ official X account posted a heartwarming photo from Bueckers’ childhood, showing her proudly wearing a purple Adrian Peterson No. 28 jersey while holding a Vikings helmet. The caption read “Buckets,” a playful nod to Bueckers‘ nickname, “Paige Buckets,” and included trophy emojis along with purple and yellow hearts, symbols of her home state pride.
A Legendary High School Career
Bueckers‘ rise to fame began long before her college days. As a high school star at Hopkins High School, she led her team to an undefeated 30-0 record and an appearance in the state championship game in 2020, a season that was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her senior year stats-21.0 points, 9.2 assists, 5.2 steals, and 5.1 rebounds per game-earned her accolades such as the Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year and the prestigious Naismith Prep Player of the Year.
Injuries Don’t Stop Her
Bueckers‘ journey to NCAA greatness wasn’t without its challenges. Injuries sidelined her for parts of her college career, including missing most of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. However, her determination and resilience were on full display as she returned to lead the Huskies back to the national championship in 2025. Averaging an impressive 27.6 points per game during the final stretch of the NCAA Tournament, she proved herself to be a true champion.
Looking Toward the Future
As Bueckers prepares to transition to the next phase of her basketball journey, she is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Despite the challenges and setbacks, her legacy as one of the best to ever play college basketball is secure, and she’ll undoubtedly continue to make waves at the professional level.
For Minnesota, the pride of having one of their own lead UConn to another NCAA title is a testament to Bueckers‘ remarkable talent and the deep connection she maintains with her home state.
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