“It’s just crazy surreal”: $1.5M NIL-valued Paige Bueckers expresses gratitude for $114.23-billion company

UConn guard Paige Bueckers thanked Nike for the opportunity to launch her signature shoe, the Nike G.T. Hustle 3 Paige Bueckers Player Edition, in Saturday's game against Louisville at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Bueckers, whose NIL value is pegged at $1.5 million (per On3), became the first NIL athlete to have her specifically designed sneakers presented to the public. Some of her teammates showed support by wearing her shoes.

In an interview, the Huskies star expressed gratitude to the $114.23-billion shoe conglomerate for the chance to endorse the sneakers at a live game.

"It's just crazy surreal. Just to look back at the pictures, it's definitely wild. I'm extremely grateful (and) extremely blessed that Nike gave me the opportunity to share that with my teammates and it was really a group thing," Bueckers said (4:43).

The fifth-year player explained that the shoe was a collaborative effort between her and persons close to her. She described Saturday's moment as "great" and "fun" and added the sneaker is for everyone.

The launch of the Nike G.T. Hustle 3 Paige Bueckers Player Edition shoe provided the same amount of energy and excitement for the team. The No. 2-ranked Huskies ran past No. 22 Louisville 85-52 to improve to 8-0.

Bueckers had a so-so performance offensively, finishing with eight points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field but put up 10 rebounds and six assists in an all-around effort.

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Paige Bueckers tackles upcoming game vs Notre Dame

Paige Bueckers also discussed about what awaits UConn in its away game against No. 8 Notre Dame (7-2, 1-0 ACC) on Thursday night at the Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana.

The 6-foot-0 guard admitted that the Fighting Irish star guards Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron are talented and bring something different to the program.

Bueckers noted that guarding the trio will be tough for the Huskies on both sides of the court due to their energy and desire to win all games.

The fifth-year senior told her younger teammates to stay composed and together, as she's expecting a loud, pro-Notre Dame crowd roaring inside the gym.

"We're playing against a very good team so just staying composed I think obviously it was a different scenario but like we did it against Ole Miss and UNC when they made their runs we stayed together we stayed a fist and we just stayed poised within each other," Bueckers said (1:38)

The Fighting Irish are coming off a 31-point win over Syracuse in their first ACC regular season game this season. The crowd is expected to be hostile in the 55th meeting between the two teams.

UConn, who leads the series, 39-15, carved out a 67-62 win over Notre Dame in their last meeting on January 27.