Wings' Paige Bueckers has best reaction to viral tweet from her very first supporter

Do you remember when you first realized Paige Bueckers was going to be something special?

No matter how early it was, you probably weren't the first.

That honor goes to one local journalist by the name of Gary Knox. 

The photographer and writer based out of Minnesota went viral for a tweet from 2013 when he hailed Bueckers as the next Diana Taurasi. 

She was in 6th grade. 

After Bueckers gained steam as a superstar at UConn, Knox's tweet blew up with people marveling at the prediction from over a decade ago.

Remember the name: Paige Bueckers. 6th grade, think Diana Taurasi. Best 6th grade G I've ever seen. St. Louis Park. pic.twitter.com/BHr72kA3lR

The moment came full circle when Bueckers was asked about Knox's viral tweet and what it meant to her.

She referred to him as "the originator" a title reserved for the man who first saw greatness at an open gym at Hopkins High School.

“me and g-prep go way back, I played with his daughter, I played with and against his son all the time.. being a part of minnesota means everything, super proud to be from this state.. the belief and the support that I felt from this state.. it’s meant everything to me” https://t.co/kTomoTmtd9 pic.twitter.com/Ss6AjJKlLU

It's a heartwarming tribute to small-town journalism. Knox, who according to his 'X' bio still covers high school basketball in Minnesota, was overjoyed with Bueckers' comments and posted a response on social media.

Full circle moment today. Watched Paige Bueckers, great even as a 6th grader, grow into one of the best. Hearing her call me “the originator” and mention our connection from a 2013 tweet was a reminder of what it’s like to witness her journey from the start. pic.twitter.com/FOdHww6Ktb

In a world where social media is often used as a tool to spread negativity, this story shows the bright side of the Internet. Knox saw something special in that gym and had the platform to share it.

Fast forward 12 years and the local journalist and basketball icon are forever linked all because of one post on social media. 

MORE: Caitlin Clark sets WNBA career record for points, assists combo after just 42 games