UConn star Paige Bueckers continues to make historical past.
On Monday, Nike named Bueckers as the primary title, picture and likeness athlete to design and launch a participant version sneaker, with the model debuting Bueckers’ Nike G.T. Hustle 3 on Saturday.
“It’s positively motivating to put on your individual shoe,” Bueckers stated in an announcement. “I grew up sporting Nikes — all of the signature sneakers — so it’s surreal to have this participant version mannequin. I simply wish to present out in it.”
The sneaker options particulars private to the 2021 Naismith Participant of the Yr. The world codes for Storrs, Conn., and Bueckers’ hometown in Minnesota intersect on the left tongue, and a textual content bubble with the phrase “Be You, Be Nice” is printed on the left heel as a nod to the message she receives from her father earlier than each recreation. “Bueckers” is printed on the proper heel.
Bueckers first signed an NIL cope with Nike in September 2023, including the attire firm to a prolonged checklist of offers with firms comparable to Gatorade, Dunkin’, Bose and Chegg.
In August, Bueckers additionally signed an NIL cope with Unequalled, the brand new winter 3×3 skilled league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. She turned the primary NCAA athlete to obtain possession fairness in a league. She is anticipated to play within the league subsequent yr.
Bueckers’ taking part in future has been a latest matter of dialog following the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery in mid-November. The Dallas Wings gained the lottery, permitting them to pick Bueckers No. 1 if the Huskies star declares for April’s draft.
Bueckers is a redshirt senior, although she nonetheless may return to UConn for an extra season after receiving an additional yr of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Bueckers instructed The Athletic this summer time that she deliberate for this faculty season to be her final, and she or he later shared in a social media put up that she was participating in her final UConn media day this fall.
She joins a rising group of ladies’s basketball gamers to have design enter on Nike sneakers. Jewell Loyd and Jonquel Jones are amongst WNBA gamers who unveiled Nike player-exclusive sneakers this previous season, whereas Sabrina Ionescuhas a preferred signature sneaker and A’ja Wilson’s will probably be available on the market by the 2025 WNBA season. Caitlin Clark additionally debuted a number of player-exclusive sneakers, and she or he reportedly will obtain a Nike signature sneaker sooner or later as a part of an endorsement deal she signed final spring.
By six video games this season, Bueckers, a two-time first-team All-American, is averaging 22 factors, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per recreation. UConn is undefeated and hosts Holy Cross on Tuesday earlier than taking part in Louisville within the Ladies’s Champions Basic at Barclays Middle on Saturday.
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(Images courtesy of Nike)
