UConn star Paige Bueckers continues to make history.
On Monday, Nike named Bueckers the first athlete with the name, image and likeness to design and launch a player version of a sneaker, and the brand debuted Bueckers’ Nike GT Hustle 3 on Saturday.
“It’s definitely motivating to wear your own shoes,” Bueckers said in a statement. “I grew up wearing Nike’s signature shoes – so to have this player version is surreal. I just wanted to be in it.
The sneaker features the 2021 Naismith Player of the Year’s personal details. The area code for Storrs, Connecticut, and that of Bewkes’ home state of Minnesota intersect on the left tongue, and a word bubble emblazoned on the left heel reads “Be You, Be Great,” as a tribute to the message she received recognition of the information. “Bueckers” printed on the right heel.
Bueckers first signed a NIL deal with Nike in September 2023, adding the apparel company to a long list of deals with the likes of Gatorade, Dunkin’, Bose and Chegg.
In August, Bueckers also signed an NIL agreement with Unrivaled, the new winter 3×3 professional league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. She became the first NCAA athlete to gain ownership of the league. She is expected to play in the league next year.
Bucs’ career has been a hot topic of late following the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery in mid-November. The Dallas Wings won the lottery and would select the Huskies star with the No. 1 pick if the Bucs declared for April’s draft.
Bueckers is a redshirt senior and will be able to return to UConn for one more season despite receiving an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Bueckers told Competitor This summer, she planned to make this college season her last, later sharing in a social media post that she would attend her final UConn media day this fall.
She joins a growing list of women’s basketball players providing design input for Nike sneakers. WNBA players like Jewell Loyd and Jonquel Jones released Nike player-exclusive sneakers last season, while Sabrina Ionescu launched a popular signature sneaker and A’ja Wilson’s sneakers will be available for the 2025 WNBA season . Caitlin Clark is also debuting several player-exclusive sneakers and will reportedly receive a Nike signature sneaker in the future as part of the endorsement deal she signed last spring.
In six games this season, Bueckers, a two-time first-team All-American, is averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. UConn remains undefeated and will host Holy Cross on Tuesday before facing Louisville on Saturday in the Women’s Championship Classic at Barclays Center.
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(Photo courtesy of Nike)
