David Butler II-Imagn Images

Paige Bueckers Makes New NIL Announcement On Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 19, 2024 4:06 PM ET

Amid her senior season for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team, star guard Paige Bueckers took to social media on Tuesday to make a new NIL announcement.

With former Iowa standout Caitlin Clark departing for the WNBA following 2023-24, Bueckers has become one of the faces of college basketball. To start her senior year, Bueckers has the No. 2 Huskies sitting at 3-0. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft is averaging 21.3 points on a whopping 65.0% shooting, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals, showing off her all-around game.

Just a few days after she led UConn to a win over the No. 14 UNC Tar Heels, Bueckers revealed in an Instagram post that she is partnering with Paninia America.

"From collecting as a kid to my first Panini trading card," Bueckers wrote on Instagram. "Excited to announce I’m joining the Panini America family for Autograph Trading Cards!"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige (@paigebueckers)

From Panini America's press release: "A senior, Bueckers will be featured across Panini’s collegiate products, including Panini’s Instant Card platform, as well as several unique Panini marketing activations, including a product line specifically focused on the pioneers of the women’s game who have inspired Paige and integration into a full team set of the 2024-25 UConn Women’s Basketball team."

“Paige is an incredible talent and one of the most accomplished and influential players in the country, and we are excited to welcome her to the Panini family,” said Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America. “Our partnership with her is an exciting addition to our team of elite athletes, and we look forward to offering fans her products for years to come.”

Bueckers also discussed her motivation for signing with the sports and entertainment collectibles company.

“Growing up I used to collect cards of all my favorite players, to know that my teammates and I will have our own Panini trading cards and that fans are going to go collect it is really special,” Bueckers said. “I can’t wait to collaborate on projects that give collectors and fans more ways to celebrate our game.”

In addition to Panini, Bueckers has made promotional posts for Google, Nike, Cerave Skincare, Verizon and Gatorade, among others. The two-time unanimous All-American is making plenty of moves outside of basketball before her professional career begins.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: