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Paige Bueckers Reveals New Nickname After $50,000 News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 8:02 AM ET

It has been a busy WNBA offseason for Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers. As the WNBA continues to negotiate a new CBA with the players' union, Bueckers has been making waves in the Unrivaled league in Miami, Florida. Along with a multitude of other WNBA players, Bueckers has been keeping the fire burning for women’s basketball during the offseason.

On Jan. 19, Bueckers won the $50,000 prize money for Unrivaled’s inaugural free-throw challenge. The 24-year-old led all players in free-throw percentage across the first five games of the season, resulting in Bueckers becoming $50,000 richer. The former UConn Huskies star, however, decided to donate the prize to Hopkins Education Foundation.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers looks on during the second quarter between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Bueckers and her Unrivaled team, Breeze Basketball Club, were back in action on Friday night. They lost to Phantom Basketball Club, 71-68, with Bueckers scoring 23 points and dishing out six assists.

The Wings star caught up with TNT’s Unrivaled crew during the broadcast. Former WNBA star Renee Montgomery praised Bueckers for her decision to donate her prize. She also asked the young star about working on getting to the free-throw line more.

"I think just being able to get stronger in the offseason and invite contact more," Bueckers said. "I think that's been a huge focus for me. And even on the mid-range pull-ups, just trying to get the shoulder bump into more space, create space, and get fouled on the release, but getting to the paint more, trying to get to the free throw line more.

Bueckers revealed, however, that she's gotten a new nickname after her $50,000 win.

"Now everybody's calling me a free throw merchant," she said. "So we got to take the wins and the losses."

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Montgomery pointed out that this new nickname should be considered a compliment. The two-time WNBA champion guard said it was an "MVP term," referring to reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who also shares the same nickname.

"I'll take it," Bueckers responded.

Bueckers and the Breeze dropped to 4-4 after Friday’s loss. Their next chance to get back in the win column is on Sunday against the defending Unrivaled champions, Rose Basketball Club.

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

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