Paige Bueckers Nike shoes: When will UConn star's brand-new sneakers drop?

UConn Huskies star guard Paige Bueckers is making history as the first college player to get her own Nike player-exclusive sneaker. Nike is celebrating its partnership with Bueckers by releasing a special edition of its latest silhouette, the Nike GT Hustle 3.

Bueckers has a name, image and likeness (NIL) valuation of $1 million and ranks second in College Women's Basketball NIL rankings, according to On3. The Huskies star signed her sneaker deal with Nike last September. This partnership could continue into her professional career, as reported by ESPN's Michael Voepel.

When will Paige Bueckers’ brand-new Nike sneakers drop?

The Nike GT Hustle 3 Paige Bueckers edition is set to release on Sept. 12, with a retail price of $120. Fans can find them at Nike stores and select retailers, both online and in-store.

The sneakers will feature a vibrant multicolor theme, as shared by Sole Retriever, with several colorways available. The men's sizing version will retail for $190 and boasts a design that includes a yellow upper, black heel, gold swoosh logos, and a navy gradient on the midsole, according to EconoTimes.

Meanwhile, the Nike GT Hustle 3 recently made its debut in July, featured in the Blueprint Pack and the Electric Pack, which tie into the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

Paige Bueckers' new Nike deal revealed in a series of thrilling posts

Paige Bueckers just signed an NIL shoe deal with Nike, and they announced it with some fun posts on X, formerly known as Twitter. Nike Basketball posted:

"New chapter, same Paige."

After that, they shared:

"Initials are PB but the layups are jelly."

Later, Nike posted:

"Playing for the Huskies, Paige got that dog in her."

Nike even gave a shoutout to Caitlin Clark:

"Caitlin Clark = Must-See TV."

Bueckers joins a star-studded group of athletes in the NIL era who've partnered with Nike, including Caitlin Clark and Judea Watkins. She expressed her elation about the partnership:

“Joining the Nike family is a childhood dream come true,” Bueckers said last year [H/t On3]. “I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together on and off the court.”

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) on the court — Source: Imagn

Bueckers, a standout from Hopkins High School in Minnesota, was the top recruit in the nation. She has already built an impressive NIL portfolio with brands like Bose, Crocs, Gatorade, Hampton Creative Consulting and Topps.

The 2021 National Player of the Year is widely regarded as the likely No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Despite being eligible for the WNBA this year, she chose to return to the Huskies and averaged 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 39 games.