PHILADELPHIA — Minnesota natives Paige Bueckers and Rachel Banham spoke about ICE’s presence in their home state during Unrivaled’s shootaround on Thursday, Jan 29, at The Alan Horowitz Sixth Man Center.
Bueckers, a Hopkins, Minnesota, native, got emotional when she began to talk about what is happening in her home state. Protests continue in Minneapolis over President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan in the aftermath of two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, being killed by federal immigration officers this month.
‘It hits a little bit home for me because I’m from there,’ Bueckers, a Breeze BC guard, said. ‘It’s unfortunate. Honestly, I’ve grown up seeing, and been a part of, peaceful protests, marches and the community coming together because of tragic events. Innocent lives are being taken, innocent families are being broken apart. People are afraid to send their children to school; people are afraid to go to work and provide for their family; people are afraid to go to the grocery store.
‘What’s going on is not OK. We hope and pray there’s a change in direction from where this is heading.’
Bueckers said she’s ‘proud to be from Minnesota.’ She believes the way her home state has stayed together during the recent incidents ‘is what Minnesota is all about.’
Unrivaled has released a statement condemning ICE’s actions in Minnesota, saying, in part, ‘In this moment of grief, we choose compassion and unity. To everyone impacted in Minnesota: we see you, we support you, and we stand with you.’
Unrivaled co-founder and Mist guard Breanna Stewart held up an ‘ABOLISH ICE’ sign on Sunday during player introductions in Miami, the 3-on-3 league’s homebase.
Banham, a Lakeville, Minnesota, native and University of Minnesota alum, said she appreciates how Unrivaled and its players are willing to use their voices for activism.
‘I’m so proud to be a part of this league,’ Banham, a Lunar Owls guard, said. ‘It’s a league comprising minorities, women of color, and we’re never scared to speak on anything and represent though who don’t have a voice. And that’s always really cool to be a part of. I’m not the most vocal person, but I’m really proud to just be a part of people who are and I get to learn from them and learn from each other.’