Nike Signs UConn Basketball Star Paige Bueckers
Paige Bueckers is now a Nike athlete.
The Swoosh announced today that the University of Connecticut basketball star is the newest student athlete to sign with the brand.
“I am blessed and honored to announce my partnership with Nike,” Bueckers said in a statement. “Joining the Nike family is a childhood dream come true. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together on and off the court.”
Bueckers is one of college basketball’s most decorated athletes. During her freshman season in 2020-21, the guard earned both Associated Press Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year and United States Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Year honors. She is the first freshman ever to win each of these awards.
Also during her 2020-21 campaign, Bueckers won the John R. Wooden Award, which is given to the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball players, and was named Naismith College Player of the Year.
Off the court, Nike said Bueckers supports several nonprofits and community organizations. These organizations aim to create opportunities for children and families, and promote social justice through programming focused on access to sport, the arts, cultivating economic opportunity and fighting food insecurity. With this partnership, Nike said Bueckers will continue her community-focused efforts and to use her platform to both make a difference and pave the way for the next generation.
On the court, Nike said Bueckers will lace up the G.T. Hustle 2.
The shoe features full-length Cushlon foam underfoot, which Nike added to offer comfort and cushioning at high speeds, as well as to keep the wearer’s foot from moving around in the shoe. The foam is pared with molded insoles for responsiveness.
The shoe also includes a full-length Zoom Air unit stitched to the bottom of the upper to offer a propulsive feeling and energy return, engineered mesh uppers with reinforced layers for support around the toe, heel and midfoot, and a waffle herringbone traction pattern on the outsole for court feel.
The Nike G.T. Hustle 2 for women is available now via Nike.com for $170.