After leading the UConn Huskies to a dominant national championship win, Paige Bueckers is taking her victory lap — and it includes a stop on late-night television.
Bueckers made a surprise appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, stepping on stage with her March Madness trophy in hand, much to the delight of fans tuning in across the country. The moment quickly lit up social media as Bueckers continues to ride the wave of her title-winning performance and ever-growing stardom.
Paige Bueckers Steals the Spotlight on Jimmy Fallon
Bueckers, no stranger to the spotlight, truly stole the show.
.@paigebueckers1 crashes Jimmy’s monologue with her @MarchMadnessWBB trophy tonight! @UConnWBB #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/dgWcI8BPT6
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) April 10, 2025
As Jimmy Fallon kicked off his monologue Wednesday night, few expected one of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball to crash the set — trophy in tow. But that’s exactly what happened when Bueckers walked out with a grin, flashing her championship hardware and basking in the glow of a historic run.
Fans immediately took to social media to celebrate her appearance. Comments flooded in with messages like, “Most anticipated Tonight Show guest in a loooong time,” and “She’s so worldwide.” Others gushed over her post-championship glow and even her fit, with one fan writing, “She lookin cool in camouflage pants.”
.@paigebueckers1 has arrived! ✨🏀 @UConnWBB #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/2lwcqx053u
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) April 9, 2025
It wasn’t just about the style or the surprise — this was another milestone moment for Bueckers, who continues to elevate women’s basketball in both sports and pop culture circles.
Bueckers has been on a whirlwind media tour since UConn defeated South Carolina to claim its 12th national title. After overcoming injuries earlier in her career, the 2025 tournament served as a full-circle moment for the senior guard. Her performance throughout the season, and especially in March, reminded everyone why she’s widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
She closed out her college career averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.1 steals over four seasons — numbers as jaw-dropping as her trophy-laden résumé.
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Her Tonight Show appearance is yet another sign of her rising stardom beyond the hardwood. With ESPN analysts already predicting her as a franchise-changing player in the WNBA, Bueckers is well on her way to becoming not just a star athlete, but a full-fledged cultural icon.
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