For some athletes, winning a national championship makes you a star. However, Paige Bueckers was already a star on and off the court. Winning the championship was just another feather in her hat, and it wouldn’t have changed her status or reputation if she didn’t win. Such is her talent and exploits.
Nicknamed “Paige Buckets”, Bueckers helped UConn win its 12th national title after blowing out defending champion South Carolina. Bueckers is expected to be selected first overall in the 2025 WNBA draft.
How Did the Former UConn Star get the nickname ‘Paige Buckets’?
Bueckers has been labeled a generational talent since high school. Although injuries slowed down her career a little, it didn’t take away from her talents and shine. Bueckers is considered arguably “one of the best playmakers in the game.” She is known for her mid-range game and also scores efficiently at the rim and from 3-point range.
Bueckers’ scoring success earned her the nickname “Paige Buckets.” On July 13, 2021, she filed for a trademark on the nickname for use on athletic apparel, such as shirts, footwear, pants, hats, jackets, and uniforms.
Bueckers is the third most valuable woman in college sports, has the second largest social media following and the highest engagement from her followers. The rise in Bueckers’ profile is partly due to the surge in attention that women’s basketball is now getting.
She is the first college athlete to have her own Nike player-edition shoe, the Paige Bueckers G.T. Hustle 3. She was also the first college athlete to sign a NIL deal with Gatorade. She has also signed deals with Crocs, Bose, and Nerf. She is an advisor for Overtime Select, a basketball league created by the sports media company Overtime for girls’ high school players.
Bueckers has a foundation (The Paige Bueckers Foundation) aimed at promoting social justice and creating opportunities for families and children. In 2022, She was named to the Fortune 40 Under 40 list, which honors influential young people in business.
Also Read: 5 Underrated Players in the 2025 WNBA Draft Class You Need To Know
Whichever team Bueckers lands (all signs point to Dallas Wings) is getting a one-of-a-kind superstar who would transform the franchise on and off the court. Her movement has been likened to that of Caitlin Clark.
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