“I Was Just That Little Kid, Too”: Paige Bueckers Hosts Youth Basketball Experience in Dallas With Verizon

Grant AfsethSeptember 1, 2025September 1, 2025no comment

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Paige Bueckers has wasted little time becoming a visible figure in Dallas sports culture. The Dallas Wings guard, averaging 18.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds through 32 games, has already established herself as a franchise cornerstone on the floor. But her impact extends beyond the court, where she has embraced opportunities to connect directly with the community.

On Aug. 25, Bueckers partnered with Verizon to host an exclusive youth basketball experience in Dallas for athletes ages 13–17. The event gave teenagers the opportunity to join Bueckers for basketball drills, friendly competitions, and candid conversations. A live DJ and photobooth added to the festive atmosphere, but the focus was on learning directly from the Wings guard about both basketball and life off the court.

“Verizon has done a lot for me in terms of my values and being able to give to my teammates and the community,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Partnering with them for things like that, to connect with kids in high school and younger, means a lot. I want them to know that I was just that little kid too who attended clinics and dreamt big — and that anything they put their mind to, they can achieve.”

Paige Bueckers on Connecting With Youth

For Bueckers, the Verizon collaboration represented more than just a basketball clinic. It was an extension of her approach to making herself accessible to fans, using her own story to inspire, and showing young athletes that their dreams are within reach. It’s part of her broader focus to impact the Dallas community.

“Just connect, just be one of the people,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Don’t distance yourself or make it seem like you’re untouchable. Being able to connect with the community, connect with the next generation, and use basketball as a way to build relationships is important. I want to embed myself in the city of Dallas and the DFW area and let them know I want to stick around and be a part of the community.”

Michelle R. Miller, Senior Vice President at Verizon, echoed that theme, describing the partnership as part of the company’s commitment to “connecting people to what matters most” while spotlighting one of the WNBA’s most marketable young stars.

A Growing Presence in Dallas

Bueckers’ rookie year has been marked by milestones, including setting the WNBA rookie single-game scoring record with 44 points in Los Angeles on Aug. 20. She is also just 25 points away from surpassing Arike Ogunbowale’s franchise rookie scoring record of 630.

Yet as she nears records, Bueckers has made clear her commitment to planting roots in Dallas. She has already taken part in visits to Children’s Health, thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at a Texas Rangers game, and attended Dallas Stars playoff games at American Airlines Center. She was also a featured guest at the Mavericks’ NBA Draft Party, further cementing her as a recognizable Dallas sports figure.

For Dallas fans, that visibility shows her intent to be more than a player. Bueckers has quickly embraced her role as a community figure, a connection point for local youth, and one of the newest faces of Dallas sports.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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