Whether for business or pleasure, college basketball star Paige Bueckers has had an incredibly busy schedule, but the talented athlete still manages to balance her responsibilities on and off the court.
Despite her packed calendar, Bueckers, who is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s WNBA draft, isn’t letting her travels interfere with her academic life. She made sure to be back in class on Monday morning, living up to her reputation as a student-athlete.
Bueckers, now 22, is not only excelling in basketball but also making waves financially through her Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. As women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity, her brand has skyrocketed, offering her incredible opportunities. From attending high-profile events to starring in major photoshoots, Bueckers has had a whirlwind summer.
Her travels have taken her across the country, and sometimes even out of it, for a mix of business and leisure. Among the highlights:
- Multiple photoshoots in Los Angeles and New York.
- Attending events for New York Fashion Week.
- Supporting fellow athletes at the U.S. Open, including Frances Tiafoe.
- Catching Usher’s concert at the Barclays Center.
Bueckers has been keeping busy, but her love for basketball remains strong. After watching a WNBA game between the Seattle Storm and the Connecticut Sun in Uncasville, she and teammate Azzi Fudd zipped back to New York City to catch a U.S. Open match. The dynamic duo returned to the Big Apple for another weekend of action, rubbing shoulders with some big names in the sports world.
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This past weekend, Bueckers and Fudd attended a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. Seated alongside NBA stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, Bueckers was living the dream. Despite her constant presence at major events, her UConn family had one simple request: get back to class.
UConn women’s basketball’s official Instagram account jokingly commented on a post of Bueckers and Fudd at the Barclays Center, saying, “come home, you have class tomorrow ?.” True to form, Bueckers didn’t miss a beat and was back in her seat the next morning, proving that even with her globe-trotting schedule, she’s still keeping up with her studies.
When asked during New York Fashion Week about her “guilty pleasure,” Bueckers responded in a playful tone, addressing the rumors swirling around her absence from school. “Ha, not doing my homework. Nah, I’m kidding. I mean, everybody’s been saying, ‘Why aren’t you in school?’ I’ve been doing my schoolwork, too, but I’m traveling as well. So I don’t feel guilty about it. But, I mean, I guess people are trying to make me feel guilty about, like, still being on the world tour while school started, but I’m chilling, I’m good.”
She also reminded fans that she’s already earned her degree, but she’s committed to staying on top of her academic responsibilities.
Despite the busy schedule, Paige Bueckers continues to show why she’s not only an elite basketball player but a role model for balancing fame, career, and education.
