Early Roots in Ames
I remember diving into stories of families woven into the fabric of sports, like threads in a vast tapestry. Paige Hoiberg, born around 1997 in Ames, Iowa, emerges from such a narrative. Ames, a town pulsing with academic energy from Iowa State University, shaped her childhood. As the eldest child and only daughter of Fred and Carol Hoiberg, she grew up amid the echoes of basketball courts and family relocations. Her father, Fred, born on October 15, 1972, in Lincoln, Nebraska, transitioned from NBA stardom to coaching prowess. Carol, his high school sweetheart from Ames, anchored the home front through it all.
Paige’s early years blended normalcy with the spotlight. By age 8, in 2005, she visited her father in the hospital after his first open-heart surgery, a moment that etched resilience into the family ethos. They moved with Fred’s career, from Ames to Chicago during his Bulls days, then back to roots in Nebraska. Yet Paige carved her space, excelling in high school sports at Gilbert High School, just seven miles from Ames. She averaged 13.6 points per game in basketball as a senior, scoring 31 in one memorable outing. Track events sharpened her speed, a metaphor for outrunning family expectations.
The Hoiberg Family Legacy
Old Fred Hoiberg is the patriarch, like a windswept oak. He played 10 seasons in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Minnesota Timberwolves from 1995 to 2005. Fred, known as “The Mayor” during his Iowa State days when he scored 1,993 points and had his No. 32 jersey honored, earned a business degree in 1995. Coaching followed: Iowa State 2010–2015, Chicago Bulls 2015–2018, Nebraska since 2019. His 2024 contract raises his annual salary to $4.25 million from $3.5 million.
The 1970s-born Carol Hoiberg met Fred in high school. She valued family, attending games and building relationships. They’ve established a balanced unit over 30 years. Eric and Karen Hoiberg, paternal grandparents, added layers. Iowa State sociology professor Eric, born in the 1940s, affected academics. Ball boys and other early sports were promoted by Karen, a former elementary school teacher.
Three brothers of Paige complete the circle. Walk-on Jack, born about 2000, helped Michigan State reach the 2019 Final Four. He links strategy and play as a San Antonio Spurs video analyst. Sam and Charlie, born around 2003, excel at Nebraska under Fred. Senior guard Sam has played over 100 games, helping the Huskers start 2025-26 17-0. Charlie assists with defensive plays and staff duties. Lincoln Pius X high school sharpened their skills.
Paige’s Path to Independence
I see Paige as a river diverging from the family stream, seeking her own course. Despite Iowa State ties, she chose the University of Kansas in 2015, a rival school that initially ruffled her brothers’ feathers. There, from 2015 to 2019, she worked part-time in the basketball office, handling administrative tasks. Graduation around 2019 led her to Chicago, echoing her father’s past.
Her career in medical device sales unfolded steadily. Now a representative for Stryker ENT, she navigates client relations in a field where salaries often hit $100,000 to $150,000 annually, including commissions. No patents or awards mark her publicly, but her independence shines. High school feats, like leading her team in scoring, laid foundations. A viral 2014 prom invitation from Wyatt Rhoads, son of Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads, via YouTube, thrust her into fleeting fame, amassing over 6,500 Twitter followers by 2016.
Living in Chicago as of 2026, Paige maintains a low-key profile. Her X account, @PaigeHoiberg, joined in 2012 with about 4,800 followers, features supportive posts. A December 2025 tweet crediting Charlie for the Huskers’ streak garnered over 1,400 likes. No romantic details surface; she appears single, focused on career and family from afar.
Siblings in the Spotlight
Jack Hoiberg’s journey mirrors a bridge between eras. At Michigan State under Tom Izzo, his walk-on role in 2019’s Final Four offered Fred cherished moments during a coaching hiatus. Now with the Spurs, Jack analyzes video, dissecting plays like a surgeon.
Sam and Charlie, the twins, embody synergy. At Nebraska, Sam’s versatility in the Big Ten includes defensive prowess. With nearly 100 games under his belt, he’s pivotal in ranked matchups, where Fred holds an 11-11 record in the last 22 as of late 2025. Charlie, alongside, blends playing with staff contributions, their high school stardom at Pius X fueling college success.
I admire how the siblings support one another, a web of encouragement amid competitive pressures.
Key Milestones and Timeline
Dates punctuate the Hoiberg saga. Here’s a table capturing pivotal moments:
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Paige’s Birth | Ames, Iowa; eldest of four. |
| 2000 | Jack’s Birth | Family expands amid Fred’s NBA play. |
| 2003 | Twins’ Birth | Sam and Charlie arrive. |
| 2005 | Fred’s Surgery | Paige visits hospital; ends playing career. |
| 2010-2015 | Fred at Iowa State | Coaching success; family in Ames. |
| 2014 | Prom Viral Moment | Paige asked via YouTube; national buzz. |
| 2015 | High School Graduation | Paige enrolls at KU. |
| 2015-2018 | Fred with Bulls | Family in Chicago area. |
| 2019 | Paige Graduates KU | Moves to Chicago for sales career. |
| 2019 | Jack’s Final Four | Michigan State run. |
| 2019-Present | Fred at Nebraska | Contract to $4.25M; twins join team. |
| 2023 | Father’s Day Tribute | Paige posts on X. |
| 2025-2026 | Huskers’ Streak | 17-0 start; family celebrates. |
This timeline reveals rhythms of change, from health scares to triumphs.
Family achievements stack up. Fred’s 1,993 college points. Paige’s 13.6 PPG high school average. Sam’s 100 games. Numbers ground the story in reality.
FAQ
Who are Paige Hoiberg’s parents and what do they do?
Fred Hoiberg, her father, coaches Nebraska men’s basketball, earning $4.25 million yearly after extensions. A former NBA player with 10 seasons, he survived multiple heart surgeries. Carol Hoiberg, her mother, manages the family, supporting through relocations and games over their 30-plus-year marriage.
What are the careers of Paige’s siblings?
Jack works as a video analyst for the San Antonio Spurs after walking on at Michigan State and contributing to their 2019 Final Four. Sam plays as a senior guard for Nebraska, versatile in nearly 100 games. Charlie, his twin, aids the team in playing and staff roles, both high school standouts at Lincoln Pius X.
Where did Paige Hoiberg go to college and why?
She attended the University of Kansas from 2015 to 2019, choosing it over Iowa State to escape the family bubble. There, she assisted in the basketball office, gaining administrative experience without joining the team.
What is Paige Hoiberg’s current job?
As a sales representative for Stryker ENT in Chicago, she handles medical device promotions. Roles like hers typically offer $100,000-plus base salaries with commissions, marking her shift from sports to corporate independence.
How has the Hoiberg family handled health challenges?
Fred’s 2005 and 2015 heart surgeries tested them, but they prioritized time together. Paige’s childhood hospital visit in 2005 highlighted unity, influencing their emphasis on balance amid demanding careers.
What social media presence does Paige have?
On X as @PaigeHoiberg since 2012, with around 4,800 followers, she posts sparingly about family milestones, like Huskers wins and Father’s Day tributes, avoiding controversy.
Who are Paige’s grandparents?
Eric Hoiberg, paternal grandfather, retired as an Iowa State sociology professor. Karen Hoiberg, grandmother, retired as an elementary teacher. They rooted the family in Ames, supporting early sports involvement.
