Bueckers was born on October 20, 2001, in Edina, Minnesota, and grew up in neighboring St. Louis Park.[2][3] She started playing basketball at age five.[3][4] As a child, she also played Little League Baseball as a catcher, as well as football and soccer, but focused on basketball by first grade.[5][6][7] Bueckers became friends with future National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jalen Suggs while in elementary school.[8][9] She was coached by her father in basketball until seventh grade.[10] Bueckers drew inspiration from NBA players LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird.[5][11] She grew up supporting the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.[12]