UConn star Paige Bueckers continues to make history.
On Monday, Nike named Bueckers as the first name, image and likeness athlete to design and launch a player edition sneaker, with the brand debuting Bueckers’ Nike G.T. Hustle 3 on Dec. 7.
“It’s definitely motivating to wear your own shoe,” Bueckers said in a statement. “I grew up wearing Nikes — all the signature shoes — so it’s surreal to have this player edition model. I just want to show out in it.”
The sneaker features details personal to the 2021 Naismith Player of the Year. The area codes for the UConn and Bueckers’ hometown in Minnesota intersect on the left tongue, and a text bubble with the phrase “Be You, Be Great” is printed on the left heel as a nod to the message she receives from her father before every game. Bueckers is printed on the right heel.
Bueckers first signed an NIL deal with Nike in September of 2023, adding the apparel company to a lengthy list of deals that includes companies such as Gatorade, Dunkin’, Bose and Chegg.
In August, Bueckers also signed an NIL deal with Unrivaled, the new winter 3×3 professional league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. In doing so, she became the first NCAA athlete to receive ownership equity in a league. She is expected to play…
