Paige Bueckers Set to Make NCAA History with ‘Player Exclusive’ Sneaker Release

This upcoming season, Paige Bueckers, a senior at UConn, is poised to make history in an unprecedented move. In addition to possibly breaking records on the court, she is also launching her own Nike ‘Player Exclusive’ (PE) sneaker, which will be available to the public.

According to sneaker news outlet Sole Retriever, this release will make Bueckers the first-ever NCAA athlete with a personalized shoe available for purchase by fans and sneaker enthusiasts.

Paige Bueckers is the projected number-one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Steve Janconetta of Sole Retriever reported receiving her own PE of Nike’s ‘GT Hustle 3’ model. This groundbreaking development marks a significant milestone in college athletics’s new age of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). While other college athletes like USC’s Bronny James have sported exclusive PEs, their personalized sneakers hit retail shelves.

 

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The defining aspect of this historic event is the ability to purchase Bueckers’ sneakers. The public will no longer have to buy exclusive designs worn by college athletes, as they now have the opportunity to own a piece of NCAA history.

Bueckers’ GT Hustle 3 PE will drop on September 12, 2024, and will cost $190 at retail. The sneakers will be available in sizes for both men and women, reflecting the increasing recognition and popularity of women’s basketball. Other women’s basketball stars, like Sabrina Ionescu, A’Ja Wilson, and Rickea Jackson, all have their signature sneakers.

Bueckers’ PEs will be accessible to many individuals through select retailers, including online and in-store locations. This move will benefit Bueckers’ brand and remind us of the changing college athletics landscape, where athletes can leverage their popularity and marketability in previously unimaginable ways.

This landmark release will significantly impact women’s basketball’s visibility and commercial viability. By offering a PE sneaker for sale, Bueckers creates a precedent that could lead to future NCAA athletes selling their personalized footwear to the public. The growing interest and investment in women’s sports indicate a shift towards greater equality and recognition, making this development particularly important.