Basketball collectors are buzzing with anticipation as fans across social media call for UConn sensation Paige Bueckers to join Funko’s vinyl lineup. The two-time Nancy Lieberman Award winner and 2024 Big East Player of the Year has captivated audiences with her electrifying performance, averaging 21.9 points per game in the 2024-25 season.
With high-profile NIL deals already secured with Nike, Gatorade, and StockX, Bueckers’ marketability continues to soar as she leads UConn to their 24th Final Four appearance. Her cultural impact mirrors that of athletes previously immortalized in Funko’s Pop Sports collection, making her a prime candidate for vinyl commemoration ahead of her projected top selection in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Fan Demand For Paige Bueckers Funko Pop Growa
UConn faithful and basketball collectors alike have been vocal about wanting to see Bueckers in Funko form. The star guard’s stellar 2024-25 season stats, which include 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists per game, and 54.2% field goal shooting, have only amplified calls for her vinyl debut, especially as she prepares to make the leap to professional play.
Paige Bueckers showing up to the WNBA Draft still wearing the net 🙌 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LkzsjTKBOq
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) April 8, 2025
Projected as the number one pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 15, 2025, Bueckers’ marketability is at an all-time high. The Dallas Wings hold the top selection, positioning the UConn standout for immediate professional stardom and potentially creating the perfect timing for a collectible release that would capitalize on draft excitement.
Precedent Set with JuJu Watkins Figure
Funko broke new ground in November 2024 by releasing the first-ever vinyl figure of an active NCAA athlete, USC star JuJu Watkins. The limited edition collectible, featuring Watkins in her white Trojans jersey with her signature bun hairstyle, sold out rapidly during its pre-order window, demonstrating significant market demand for women’s college basketball merchandise.
This successful precedent could pave the way for Bueckers, whose stats and cultural significance rival or exceed Watkins’. Funko CEO Cynthia Williams specifically cited the “incredible surge” in women’s college basketball popularity as the motivation behind the Watkins release, a trend Bueckers has helped drive throughout her UConn career with her dazzling play and off-court charisma.
Despite strong fan interest, no official announcement has come from Funko regarding a Paige Bueckers figure. The company’s website and social media channels remain silent on the matter, even as Bueckers’ star continues to rise with her outstanding NCAA Tournament performance, including a 31-point masterpiece against USC Trojans in the Elite Eight.
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Licensing complexities could delay any potential release, as agreements would need to be secured between Funko, UConn, the NCAA, and Bueckers herself. Alternatively, Funko might be strategically waiting for her WNBA debut to simplify licensing through a league-wide agreement similar to their approach with other professional athletes in their Pop! Sports line.
The timing feels right for a Buecker’s vinyl debut, whether as a commemorative UConn piece or tied to her imminent WNBA career. While no confirmation exists, precedent with athletes like Watkins and the extraordinary fans’ demand suggest it’s a matter of “when” rather than “if.”
Basketball collectors should keep their eyes on announcements surrounding the April 15 draft. Paige’s vinyl moment may be closer than we think.
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