If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter—or X, whatever we’re calling it these days—you know the hype around Paige Bueckers is basically a permanent fixture of the internet. People track her stats like they’re trading stocks. But there’s one question that pops up every single year like clockwork: when is Paige Bueckers birthday? It's actually a bigger deal than just a trivia point.
Honestly, in the world of professional basketball, birth dates often dictate draft eligibility, age-group records, and those "youngest player to ever..." headlines that sports anchors love to shout about. For Paige, her birthday is October 20, 2001.
She’s a Libra. If you believe in that stuff, it explains a lot. Libras are supposed to be balanced, social, and diplomatic. If you’ve ever watched her thread a needle-thin pass through three defenders or handle a post-game press conference after a tough loss, you’ve seen that balance in action.
Born to Hoop: The Minnesota Origins
Paige was born in Edina, Minnesota.
She didn't just appear out of thin air as a UConn legend. She grew up in St. Louis Park, and by the time she was at Hopkins High School, she was already a "problem" for every other team in the state.
Think about it. On October 20, 2021, she was celebrating her 20th birthday as the reigning National Player of the Year. She was the first freshman to ever sweep the big awards—Wooden, Naismith, AP. Most of us at 20 were just trying to figure out how to do laundry without shrinking our favorite hoodies.
Why the October Date Matters for Her Career
Basketball seasons usually kick off right around late October or early November. This means Paige almost always starts her season with a fresh candle on her cake.
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- Freshman Season: She turned 19 just as she was preparing for her historic debut at UConn.
- The Pro Leap: When she was drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in April 2025, she was 23.
- The 2026 Season: As we sit here in 2026, Paige is 24 years old. She’ll hit the big 25—the quarter-century mark—this coming October.
It’s kind of wild to realize she’s been in the national spotlight for nearly a decade already. She was a Slam Magazine cover star before she could legally vote.
The Comeback Kid: More Than Just a Date
You can't talk about Paige's journey without talking about the "lost year."
When she tore her ACL in August 2022, it felt like the air went out of the room for women’s college basketball. She missed the entire 2022-23 season. She spent her 21st birthday in rehab, not on the court. That’s a heavy way to spend what’s supposed to be a milestone birthday.
But she didn't just "recover." She rebuilt.
She came back with more muscle and a mid-range jumper that felt even more lethal than before. By the time the 2025 WNBA Draft rolled around, there was zero doubt. The Wings didn't just take a player; they took a franchise cornerstone.
Paige's Impact in 2026: Money, Influence, and LEGOs
By the time her 24th birthday rolled around in October 2025, Paige wasn't just a basketball player. She was a mogul.
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The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era was practically built for someone like her. She was one of the first to really show how a female athlete could out-earn almost anyone else in the college space. We're talking deals with:
- Gatorade (she was their first NIL signing)
- Nike (obviously)
- LEGO (her recent "dream collab" she posted about on Instagram)
- CarMax and Fanatics
In 2026, she’s leading the way in the Unrivaled league—that 3-on-3 offseason league that’s been taking over the winter months. She’s currently playing for Breeze BC, and she’s already topping the scoring charts.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Age
There's this weird misconception that Paige is "older" than her peers because she spent five years at UConn (thanks to that redshirt injury year and the COVID eligibility rules).
People see her as a veteran, and she is. But she’s still only 24.
She’s younger than some of the rookies entering the league this year. That’s the "Paige Paradox." She has the experience of a 30-year-old vet but the knees and speed of a player just hitting her physical prime.
Quick Facts You Can Use to Impress Your Friends:
- Birthplace: Edina, MN
- Full Name: Paige Madison Bueckers
- Height: 6'0" (though she plays much bigger)
- Draft Status: 1st Overall Pick, 2025 (Dallas Wings)
- Current Age: 24 (Turning 25 on October 20, 2026)
Looking Ahead: The Road to 25
So, what’s next?
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Paige is currently the face of a Dallas Wings team that is rebuilding around her. She recently broke the rookie record for most points in a game with 44. That happened against the Sparks, and she did it while shooting 80% from the field.
Think about that. 80%.
As she approaches her 25th birthday this October, the conversation is no longer about if she’s "back" from injury. It’s about how many MVP trophies she’s going to collect before she’s done.
If you're looking to follow her journey or maybe just want to send a birthday shoutout on social media, mark October 20 on your calendar. Given her track record, she'll probably celebrate by dropping a double-double or announcing another massive brand partnership.
To stay on top of her career, keep an eye on her WNBA stats or her Instagram feed, where she’s currently leaning into her fashion era—something she says she discovered through her NIL deals and her younger sister's makeup advice.
Keep an eye on the Unrivaled schedule if you want to see her in action before the next WNBA season kicks off. She’s currently averaging over 18 points per game in the 3x3 format, showing that no matter the setting, "Paige Buckets" is always going to live up to the nickname.