While the next WNBA season may feel far off, one storyline has everyone buzzing: college sensation Paige Bueckers is ready to make her mark on the big stage. Fans widely anticipate that the UConn Huskies standout will be the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, with several teams eager to secure her talents. To top it all off, Bueckers recently earned recognition as an AP All-Preseason American, further boosting her popularity and excitement among fans.

“I just feel like I’m not done yet here. I feel like God is still writing my story here,” the 23-year-old said while announcing her decision to return for one last year with the Huskies. Despite already spending four years in college and being projected as the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft, she’s excited to make the most of her final season. Well, with her rising popularity, it’s evident that her NIL value and net worth are also on the upswing as she heads into this pivotal year.

What are Paige Bueckers’ NIL deals as of 2025?

Paige Bueckers has recalibrated what’s attainable for college athletes in the age of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), lining up an endorsement collection to rival even professional stars. But at the core of her success is a uniquely potent combination of on-court brilliance and off-court saleability, with brands eager to hitch their wagons to her authentic, relatable personality. The Swoosh led the charge when it created signature GT Hustle 3 PE sneakers in her honor , a feat reserved for established pros , while Gatorade made history when it signed her to its first student-athlete pact ever.

What sets Bueckers’ approach apart is her far-reaching vision beyond what is known as traditional sponsorships. Her equity deal with the new Unrivaled women’s basketball league was a seismic shift, thrusting her into the role of both ambassador and stakeholder in the sport’s development. It dovetails with partnerships with lifestyle brands such as Bose and Dunkin’, which tap her frequent-girl-next-door appeal to wider audiences. Industry analysts say her alliances always pave new ground; one marketing executive noted, “She markets not only products, she’s pushing forward the entire ecosystem of women’s sports.”

The financial ramifications of these partnerships are only expanding, thanks to the merchandise from the UConn NIL Store and a unique venture that has Paige already cashing in on her “Paige Buckets” trademark. Rather than being a large-scale one-off cash in like a number of peers, Bueckers has created a patchwork of brand opportunities that form an interconnected network designed to ensure she’s generating income long after her collegiate eligibility is up.

Which High School Did Paige Bueckers Attend?

Even before she drew national attention at UConn, Bueckers was building her basketball legacy at Hopkins High School in a suburb of Minneapolis. Her success at the plate helped make the Royals’ program a must-see destination as she led the team to three consecutive state championship games, where it won two titles, while she rewrote the record books in Minnesota. Her sophomore season  a perfect 32-0 campaign , first unveiled her trademark clutch gene, last-second shots a matter of course across the top of the ESPN scroll.

Hopkins coach Brian Cosgriff likes to tell the story of how Bueckers changed the culture around their program: “Practices became events. It was college coaches lined up just to watch her run drills.” Despite the increasing buzz, she kept her nose to the grindstone, often staying for hours after games to work on her shot. This dedication followed her into the classroom, balancing AP courses with her athletic commitments and helping to lay the groundwork for the academic honors she would receive later at UConn.

Former teammates have credited the way she lifted those around her  not only by scoring (she averaged 21.4 points as a senior) but by making underclassmen feel important. It was those formative years that would become the foundation for a poised leader when he eventually faced injury setbacks and NCAA tournament pressures with equal composure.

What Is Paige Bueckers’ Net Worth and Salary?

Bueckers’ financial portfolio speaks to an athlete who used the same precision she reserved for her jump shot to monetize her celebrity. Though NCAA rules forbid her from making salary, her NIL deals have created a lifelong net worth between $1.5–$2 million through very carefully crafted deals. Her $1.4 million per year valuation from On3 provides the foundation, but her true innovation is in how she’s diversified that revenue equity positions, intellectual property holdings, advisory roles creating so many appreciating assets.

Her foreseeable WNBA rookie contract (about $76,000 per year is the projected amount) is almost an afterthought when you factor in her existing framework. The “Paige Buckets” trademark permits them to have full control over merchandise lines, and the Overtime Select advisory position gives her insight and income while shaping the next generation of players. Particularly visionary, say financial experts, is her Unrivaled league ownership.

Her roadmap suggests earnings might soon exceed those of veteran WNBA stars. With most NIL deals providing multiyear commitments and new opportunities like her Panini America trading cards carving out collectible value, Bueckers has manufactured financial stability without even turning professional. It’s a business model that future athletes will surely follow , one where on-court success and off-court business savvy amplify one another.