Paige Bueckers will become the first college athlete to receive a Nike shoe collaboration according to Sole Retriever. Back in September 2023, Bueckers was revealed on Nike’s prestigious roster of top-performing athletes.
“Joining the Nike family is a childhood dream come true.,” Paige Bueckers said.
The sensational UConn basketball star’s shoe is set to drop on September 12th and will be 120 dollars. The shoe will feature a player-exclusive version colorway from the Nike G.T. Hustle 3. Paige’s mantra will be featured on the sock line of the shoe. The UConn, and Bueckers hometown; Edina, Minnesota area codes 860, and 612 will also be on the shoe to represent Bueckers.
The Hopkins native, was a member of the talented UConn team that took the NCAA by storm. In 2022, The Huskies made it all the way into the national championship but lost to the Gamecocks. Bueckers finished the game with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Unfortunately, Bueckers dealt with a torn ACL that kept her out of the 202-2023 season. Bueckers fought through her injury to make her way back to the court. After returning back to her huskies team for this years season, Paige averaged 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in a game. Bueckers led her team all the way to the Final Four but fell short to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“When she came back, it makes you smile because she does love playing and she does bring that passion and all of that and she’s just really happy being back in that place,” UConn women’s basketball associate head coach Chris Dailey said.
Bueckers is already the heavy favorite for the No.1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. She is set to enter her final season at UConn. Bueckers has continued to set her teammates up for success when she is on the floor. Bueckers is one of the best playmakers and has a great ability to get quick release shots. Opponents have a tough time defending Bueckers from scoring or stopping her assist to her Huskie teammates.
“Paige is great. I think Paige is probably the elitist basketball player to ever grace our game. You look at her efficiency — she doesn’t take bad shots.” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said.
The UConn star has always been the first to be awarded many things so this comes as no surprise to many. Bueckers was the first freshman to ever win NPOY, first freshman to be signed by Gatorade, The Wooden Award, and The Associated Press Player of the Year Award as a freshman in 2021.
Bueckers name is now added to the greats with a shoe deal like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark who all play in the WNBA. Which makes it even more special for Bueckers because she is the first to receive the shoe deal in college. However, Bueckers is not only the first for women but for men as well. Paige Bueckers will continue to make history and make roads for athletes who come after her.
Kierra Richardson is a Journalism student at Ohio State University desiring to work in sports media.
