Connecticut star Paige Bueckers is doing something no other college basketball player has done.
Bookers has designed her own Nike Player Edition sneakers, which she plans to release this month. The sportswear giant made the announcement on Monday.
Bueckers' Nike GT Hustle 3, the first basketball sneaker ever created by a former college athlete, will launch on December 7th on the SNKRS app and be available at select retailers .
Bookers, the star of a 6-0 Connecticut team ranked No. 2 in the nation, took great pride in creating shoes in his favorite colorways with some personalized details.
“It’s definitely motivating to be in your own shoes.” Bueckers said in a written statement provided by Nike. “I grew up wearing Nike's signature shoes, so to have this Player Edition model is incredible. I just want to make a statement.”
Bookers' sneakers feature two of her favorite colors, baby blue and lavender purple, with a white bucket embroidered on the right tongue. “Buckets”, a play on Bookers' last name, is embroidered on the right heel. Engraved on her left heel is the message her father sends her before every game: “Be You, Be Great.”
News of Bueckers' signature shoe sparked outrage from some fans of WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark. Clark reportedly signed an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike last spring, but has yet to release his signature shoe to the public.
Clark debuted a black and gold Nike Kobe 5 Proto player-exclusive sneaker at Indiana Fever practice in July, but there is no word on when Clark will release his signature shoe.
The Buccaneers and Clark have played against each other in the past. The two were in the same 2020 high school recruiting class.
Bueckers, a flashy guard from Edina, Minn., was the nation's No. 1 prospect and ultimately committed to Connecticut. Clark was ranked No. 4 in the nation, but was not recruited by the University of Connecticut. She ultimately decided to stay in her home state and play for Iowa State.
Bueckers' college career was briefly derailed by injury, but Clark soared in her absence. Her sharp shooting ability made her arguably the biggest star in college basketball. That notoriety brought her to the WNBA after she was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever last season.
Clark's team dominated the 2024 Final Four, with the University of Iowa defeating the University of Connecticut in a thrilling and controversial decision to advance to the national championship game.
The Buccaneers are expected to be the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, owned by the Dallas Wings. That is, if she chooses to turn pro after this season. Because of her injury and the pandemic, Bueckers will have one year of NCAA eligibility remaining after the 2024-25 season.
