Career Timeline of Paige Bueckers: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Paige Bueckers built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Paige Bueckers is a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA and the Breeze of Unrivaled. Prior to her professional career, she achieved significant success in college basketball at UConn, leading the Huskies to four Big East Tournament victories, four Final Four appearances, and ultimately, a National Championship title. Her college performance cemented her reputation as a highly skilled and impactful player, setting the stage for her transition to the professional level.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1998: UConn Signings

Since 1998, Paige Bueckers was the 11th number-one recruit to sign and attend UConn.

2007: Highest Freshman Scoring Performance

On February 3, 2021, Paige Bueckers posted a season-high 32 points, marking the highest-scoring performance by a UConn freshman since Tina Charles in 2007.

2012: Comparison to Breanna Stewart

In 2012, sports publications drew comparisons between Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart, describing Bueckers as the program's most hyped recruit since Stewart.

November 25, 2016: High School Debut

On November 25, 2016, Paige Bueckers made her freshman season debut for Hopkins High School, recording 28 points in a win against Osseo Senior High School.

February 1, 2019: Career High Points

On February 1, 2019, Paige Bueckers scored a career-high 43 points in a win over Wayzata High School.

April 1, 2019: Commitment to UConn

On April 1, 2019, Paige Bueckers announced her commitment to the University of Connecticut for college basketball.

2019: FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP

In 2019, Paige Bueckers won a gold medal with the United States at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup and was named Most Valuable Player. She was also recognized as USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year in 2019.

January 29, 2020: Slam Cover Feature

On January 29, 2020, Paige Bueckers became the first female high school player to be featured on the cover of basketball magazine Slam.

December 12, 2020: Collegiate Debut

On December 12, 2020, Paige Bueckers made her collegiate debut for UConn, recording 17 points in a win over UMass Lowell.

2020: No Seniors on Team

In 2020, Megan Walker opted to forgo her senior season for the WNBA draft, leaving the UConn team with no seniors and setting the stage for Bueckers to become a leader.

2020: Ranked #1 Player

In 2020, Paige Bueckers was a five-star recruit and ranked the number one player in her class by ESPN.

January 21, 2021: Win Against Tennessee

On January 21, 2021, Paige Bueckers made a crucial three-pointer to help UConn defeat rival Tennessee, despite a low-scoring game for herself. She also sprained her ankle during the game.

July 13, 2021: Filed trademark for "Paige Buckets"

On July 13, 2021, Paige Bueckers filed for a trademark on the nickname "Paige Buckets" for use on athletic apparel, including shirts, pants, jackets, footwear, hats, and uniforms.

August 2021: Signed with Wasserman

In August 2021, Paige Bueckers signed with Wasserman as a name, image, and likeness (NIL) client, following the NCAA's decision to allow student-athletes to be compensated for their NIL.

November 14, 2021: Season Debut

On November 14, 2021, Paige Bueckers made her season debut, recording a season-high 34 points in a win against Arkansas and matching a program record for points in a season opener.

November 2021: Signed endorsement deals with StockX and Gatorade

In November 2021, Paige Bueckers signed her first two major endorsement deals with StockX and Gatorade, becoming the first college athlete to sign with Gatorade.

February 7, 2022: Announced partnership with Cash App and launched the Paige Bueckers Foundation

On February 7, 2022, Paige Bueckers announced a partnership with Cash App, through which she launched the Paige Bueckers Foundation, aimed at promoting social justice and creating opportunities for families and children.

February 25, 2022: Cleared to Return Against St. John's

On February 25, 2022, Paige Bueckers was cleared to return against St. John's, coming off the bench for the first time in her career. She scored eight points in 13 minutes due to a minutes restriction in a 93–38 victory.

April 4, 2022: Reached one million Instagram followers

On April 4, 2022, Paige Bueckers' Instagram account reached one million followers, making her reportedly the first women's college basketball player to achieve this milestone. She was also the inaugural winner of the Best NIL Athlete of the Year award by Sports Business Journal.

2022: UConn Reaches National Title Game

In 2022, Paige Bueckers led UConn to the national title game after missing most of her sophomore season and her entire junior season with knee injuries.

August 9, 2023: Bueckers Fully Cleared to Return

On August 9, 2023, Paige Bueckers announced that she was fully cleared to return to the court after recovering from an ACL injury.

September 6, 2023: Multiyear deal with Nike

On September 6, 2023, Paige Bueckers signed a multiyear deal with Nike, promoting the company's new GT Hustle 2 shoe. She also secured a special colorway of the GT Hustle 3, becoming the first college athlete to have her own Nike shoe.

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January 17, 2024: Season-High 32 Points Against Seton Hall

On January 17, 2024, Paige Bueckers posted a season-high 32 points and seven rebounds in an 83–59 win over Seton Hall.

February 16, 2024: Bueckers Announces Return to UConn

On February 16, 2024, Paige Bueckers announced that she would return to UConn for the 2024–25 season, despite being projected as a top-three pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.

November 7, 2024: Season Opener Win Over Boston University

On November 7, 2024, Paige Bueckers opened her senior season with 13 points, seven assists, and five steals in an 86–32 win over Boston University.

March 28, 2025: Bueckers Announces Entry into 2025 WNBA Draft

On March 28, 2025, Paige Bueckers announced that she would enter the 2025 WNBA draft, where she was projected to be the first overall pick by many publications.