Amy Dettbarn, also known as Amy Fuller, is the mother of basketball star Paige Bueckers. She ran track and cross-country in college. She later studied dentistry and worked in the dental field.
Most fans know Paige from her time at UConn and in the WNBA. Her mother’s life has a different focus. Amy has a background in sports, science, and work that helps dental teams.
In this article, you’ll learn about Amy’s college years, her dental career, her family, and her bond with Paige. You’ll also see why two last names appear in news about her.
Who Is Amy Dettbarn?
Amy Dettbarn is a former college runner and the mother of Paige Bueckers. She has also been named Amy Fuller in sports reports. The names refer to the same woman.
Her daughter grew up to be a top basketball player. Paige won major awards at UConn, then joined the Dallas Wings. As her fame grew, more fans sought news of her parents.
Amy did not play college basketball. She took part in track and cross-country at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She went on to study biology and dental care.
Her life has its own path. The sport she played, the field she studied, and the work she does are all part of her story.
Her College Years in Minnesota
Amy attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She ran on the school’s cross-country and track teams. Both sports call for steady work over many months.
Track races take place on a marked course. Cross-country races take runners over grass, dirt, and hills. The two need strong legs, good pace, and a plan for each race.
She earned a degree in biology in 1999, according to a People profile of Paige’s family. The field deals with living things, from cells to the way the body works.
Her sports years are not just family trivia. They show that athletics were part of Paige’s home long before Paige became a star.
A New Path Into Dental Studies
After college, Amy went on to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Her later studies focused on periodontics.
This part of dental care deals with gums and the tissue that holds teeth in place. Gum health can affect how well a person eats, speaks, and keeps their teeth.
Her training led to a master’s degree in that field in 2008. It was a new step after years of work in sports and biology.
The move also made sense for someone with a science degree. It took her from the study of the body to work with oral health.
A Published Paper on Gum Health
Amy’s name appears on a paper in Northwest Dentistry. The journal ran it in 2007. The title is about gingival hyperplasia and care for patients with gum overgrowth.
Gingival hyperplasia means that gum tissue grows more than it should. It may make it hard to keep teeth clean. A dentist needs to find the cause before choosing care.
The paper looked at causes and ways to treat the issue. It named the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as her link at that time.
This work shows a clear interest in dental science. It is also a dated part of her career that stands apart from any news about Paige.
Her Work in the Dental Field
Amy later worked as an equipment specialist at Patterson Dental, according to People. The role is part of the wider dental field rather than the work of a TV star or athlete.
Dental offices use tools for exams, cleaning, X-rays, and many forms of care. The right gear can help teams do their jobs well. A specialist in this field can work with those needs.
That job should not be mixed up with being a full-time dentist in a private clinic. Dental study can lead to more than one type of work.
Her career links science with practical support for dental care. It is one reason her name turns up in both sports stories and dental records.
Amy Dettbarn and Bob Bueckers
Amy and Bob Bueckers are Paige’s parents. They were married before Paige was born. Their daughter arrived in 2001.
The couple later split up. Paige was still a young child. She stayed in Minnesota with her father as she grew up.
Bob helped train her in basketball. He had played the sport himself and took an early role in her love of the game. Paige spent many hours on courts as a child.
Amy moved to Montana and built a new part of her life there. The two parents were no longer in one home, but Paige kept a link with both.
Why Fans Also Know Her as Amy Fuller
Some sites list Paige’s mother as Amy Dettbarn. Others call her Amy Fuller. Both names appear in accounts of Paige’s family.
The University of Connecticut used Amy Fuller in a player bio. Team USA uses Amy Dettbarn. Those records also name Bob Bueckers as Paige’s father.
The name change can make a web search hard. A reader may find two sets of results and think there are two people. In this case, the same parent is meant.
The UConn player profile for Paige Bueckers lists Amy by name. It also notes her college sports years and Paige’s siblings.
Paige Bueckers’ Brothers and Sister
Paige has three younger siblings. They are named Ryan, Lauren, and Drew. Her family includes children from the parents’ later homes.
Ryan and Lauren are Paige’s half-siblings on her mother’s side. Drew is her younger half-brother on her father’s side.
These bonds are part of Paige’s family story. They do not mean all four children were raised in the same home.
The family has shared some moments in photos and sports reports. The kids have their own lives, so their private plans are not part of a public career profile.
How Amy Has Supported Paige
Paige grew into a top high school player in Minnesota. She went on to play for the UConn Huskies. Her skills drew praise from coaches and fans across the country.
Her mother has been seen at major games and family events. Amy has spoken with pride about her daughter’s work and growth.
In 2024, she was there when Paige won an award at the Big East tournament. She also spoke about her pride when Paige’s Nike shoe project began.
Her support is not the same as running Paige’s career. A parent can be present for big days while the athlete makes her own choices and puts in the work.
Paige’s Move From UConn to the WNBA
Paige won a national title with UConn in April 2025. It was a major step after years in college and time lost to injury.
The Dallas Wings took her with the first pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She then began her pro career in Texas.
Her rookie season led to the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. The news brought more eyes to her early life and family.
Amy’s role in this story is as Paige’s mother. Her own work is in the dental field. The two careers are linked by family, not by a shared job.
Her Life in Montana
After her split from Bob, Amy moved to Montana. Sports reports have linked her with Billings. The city became part of her later family life.
She did not spend her adult years as a full-time public figure. Most fans learned about her through Paige’s games and news coverage.
Reports have shown her at big moments in Paige’s career. That gives a clear link between them, even though they have lived in different states.
Her day-to-day life has been less public than her daughter’s. A sports story can tell us about a family event without turning all of a parent’s life into news.
What Makes Her Background Distinct
Amy’s record brings together three parts of life. She was a college runner, a student of dental science, and a parent of a pro athlete.
The first two were her own choices. They came before many people knew the Bueckers name. They are worth noting in a full bio.
Her daughter chose a team sport. Amy once took part in races that were about time and pace. The two sports are not the same, but both call for work and focus.
That is a useful way to read their story. Paige has her own awards, while Amy has her own study and work history.
Final Thoughts
Amy Dettbarn has a life beyond her link to Paige Bueckers. She ran in college, earned a degree in biology, and went on to study gum health.
She later worked in the dental field and raised a family. Her daughter became a WNBA star, which brought more public interest in both parents.
The key facts give a simple view of her story. Amy is a former athlete, a dental professional, and Paige’s mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amy Dettbarn?
She is Paige Bueckers’ mother, a former college runner, and a dental professional.
Is Amy Dettbarn also called Amy Fuller?
Yes. Both names have been used for Paige’s mother in sports reports.
Where did Amy Dettbarn go to college?
She studied at the University of St. Thomas and later at the University of Minnesota.
What sport did she play?
She ran cross-country and track and field in college.
What does Amy Dettbarn do for work?
People has described her as an equipment specialist at Patterson Dental.
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