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Paige Bueckers' Parents, Bob and Amy, Paved Way for Projected No. 1 WNBA Draft Pick

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 2:48 AM ET

As Paige Bueckers prepares to hear her name called first in the 2025 WNBA Draft, much of her success can be traced back to two key people: her parents, Bob Bueckers and Amy Fuller.

The University of Connecticut guard, who recently led her team to an NCAA championship, has had strong support from her family since childhood. That backing became even more vital after her parents divorced when she was just 3 years old.

Despite the separation, both Bob and Amy remained actively involved in shaping Paige’s life and career, per PEOPLE.

Paige Bueckers grew up in Minnesota with her father, Bob Bueckers, a former high school point guard and now a software developer. He quickly noticed her love for basketball at a young age.

“When she was young, any sort of ball that was around, we’d be throwing it,” Bob recalled in an interview with Ballislife in 2020. By the time she was in first grade, it was clear that basketball was more than a hobby.

Bob Bueckers did more than just encourage her from the sidelines — he coached her, supported her at every game, and helped her grow into the player she is today. He understood the pressures and challenges of playing point guard and shared those lessons with Paige.

Her mom, Fuller, who now lives in Montana, is a former college athlete herself. She ran track and field and cross country at the University of St. Thomas. Today, she works as an equipment specialist at a dental company.

Though they lived apart, Fuller stayed close emotionally, traveling to major games and milestones in Paige Bueckers’ journey. She was there when Paige Bueckers earned Big East Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 2024.

With the 2025 NCAA championship under her belt, Bueckers is now poised to become the No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick, with the Dallas Wings expected to select her.

Though her WNBA salary will be capped due to league rules, she has already signed a high-paying three-year deal with Unrivaled, a new women’s three-on-three league.

The deal — reportedly more lucrative than her first four years in the WNBA — shows that her value extends beyond the court.

But no matter how high Paige Bueckers rises, she never forgets where she came from. Her parents’ early support and sacrifices made this moment possible. For Bob Bueckers and Amy Fuller, watching their daughter step onto the WNBA stage is not just a proud moment — it’s the fulfillment of years of love, belief, and hard work.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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