Paige Bueckers makes history as No. 1 WNBA pick eclipses $28million Caitlin Clark
Paige Bueckers has made history by becoming the first college basketball player to have her own sneaker line, with the UConn star teaming up with Nike to release a custom shoe next month
Paige Bueckers is set to follow in Caitlin Clark’s footsteps – but she’s surpassed her in one field (
Paige Bueckers has made history as the first college basketball player to debut her own sneaker line, a feat even Caitlin Clark didn’t achieve.
The 23-year-old UConn sensation has been making waves in the collegiate game, amassing numerous esteemed awards over the past four years and offering fans a sneak peek of what to anticipate from the point guard when she eventually steps into the WNBA. Owing to her stellar performances, Bueckers is predicted to be the top pick of the 2025 draft, with the Dallas Wings set to secure her promising talent.
Bueckers, a John R Wooden Award recipient, a two-time First-Team All-American, and AP’s Player of the Year in 2021, has also been making strides off the court. She recently collaborated with Nike to unveil a custom Nike GT Hustle 3 sneaker.
Slated for release on December 7 and priced at $190, the sneaker is ground-breaking as no other college basketball star has ever launched a signature shoe.
The sneakers, a stunning blue with a purple trim, carry a personal message for Bueckers on the tongue. One side showcases an acrostic featuring the numbers 860 across and 612 down, reports the Irish Star.
The 860 segment pays homage to the area code for the University of Connecticut, while 612 represents her hometown of Edina, Minnesota. The sneakers also pay homage to Bueckers’ moniker with a bucket graphic on one tongue, while the heels sport individual messages; her name graces one, and “Be You, Be Great,” a pre-game good luck DM from her dad, adorns the other.
Paige Bueckers x Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 🪣
🚨 OFFICIAL IMAGES 🚨
Release Date: December 7th, 2024Full details: https://t.co/faCplBju34 pic.twitter.com/hyD5f1W5RQ
— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) November 23, 2024
As Bueckers aims to spearhead The Huskies’ chase for a national title prior to joining the WNBA ranks, they currently trail just behind St John’s NY in the Big East League with an unbeaten 5-0 record. Notably, Bueckers has made waves as the first college player to launch a sneaker collection, and similarly, Clark is set to unveil signature shoes soon.
On the court, the WNBA Rookie of the Year 2024 left her mark by propelling the Fever into their initial playoffs after an eight-year drought, while off it she inked a $28million contract with Nike for eight years. It’s believed Clark will launch her own custom sneakers before the 2025 season kicks off.
