$1.4M NIL-valued Paige Bueckers talks about her partnership with Unrivaled: "Just trying to build wealth and my brand"

CNBC News reported on August 1 that UConn's star hooper, Paige Bueckers, signed a name, image, and likeness deal with the new 3-on-3 women's basketball league, Unrivaled. The agreement made her the first college student-athlete to receive an ownership stake in a sports league.

Though terms of the deal were not disclosed, Bueckers talked about her latest NIL move during the Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx game on August 16.

The Huskies star pulled up at the game and gave an interview to an ESPN reporter, who asked her thoughts on the historic deal. Paige Bueckers said:

"Just super excited to be a part of something that's helping grow the game and just building my investments, building my ownership and just trying to build wealth and build my brand then to be a part of something like that is a huge blessing. I'm extremely grateful that they let me be a part of that. It's just super exciting for the future of women's basketball." (from 0:55 to 1:08)

Unrivaled, which was started by former UConn stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is set to start this winter. Bueckers is slated to play in 2026.

Paige Bueckers threw the ceremonial pitch at the Minnesota vs. Kansas City matchup

The Huskies star, who has a NIL valuation of $1.4 million (as per On3 Sports), is enjoying her offseason. After spending a calming day on a boat with her younger brother, Drew, the Minnesota native was seen at Target Field throwing the ceremonial pitch at the Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals game on Tuesday.

Paige wore a custom jersey, a pair of cargo pants, and white sneakers to the game.

With only two months remaining for the women's college season to start, Paige Bueckers is fired up to work with a team that is healthy and ready to take on the challenges of taking the team to the 2025 NCAA championship tournament.

After she sustained an ACL injury in the previous season, last year was one of the best in her collegiate career. She averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, and she will try to replicate the same this year.