College star Paige Backers continues to make history.
On Monday, Nike named Bookers as the first name, image and portrait athlete to design and launch a Player Edition sneaker, and the brand debuted Bookers' Nike GT Hustle 3 on Saturday.
“It's definitely motivating to step into my shoes,” Bakkers said in a statement. “I grew up wearing Nike's signature shoes, so getting this player edition model is surreal. I just want to make a statement.”
This sneaker features details worthy of the 2021 Naismith Player of the Year. The area codes of Storrs, Conn., and Bakkers' home state of Minnesota intersect on the left tongue, and a speech bubble with the phrase “Be You, Be Great” is printed on the left heel, a nod to the message she received. It shows respect. Her father said that before every game. “Bueckers” is printed on the right heel.
Bookers signed its first NIL deal with Nike in September 2023, adding the apparel company to a long list of deals with companies including Gatorade, Dunkin', Bose and Chegg.
In August, the Backers signed a NIL contract with Unrivaled, a new winter 3×3 professional league co-founded by Brianna Stewart and Nafeesa Collier. She became the first NCAA athlete to take ownership in the league. She is expected to play in the league next year.
The Buccaneers' future play has been a hot topic of late following the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery in mid-November. If the Dallas Wings win the lottery and select the Huskies star in April's draft, the Buccaneers could be selected No. 1.
Buccaneer is a redshirt senior who could still return to U-Con for another season after receiving an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, Bakkers said: The Athletic This summer, she planned for this college season to be her last, later sharing in a social media post that she would be attending the final college union media day this fall.
She joins a growing group of female basketball players to have input on Nike sneaker designs. Jewell Lloyd and Jonquel Jones were among the WNBA players who released exclusive Nike sneakers last season, Sabrina Ionescu's popular signature sneaker and A'ja Wilson's to be released before the 2025 WNBA season. It's planned. Caitlin Clark also debuted some player-exclusive sneakers and is reportedly set to receive a Nike signature sneaker in the future as part of an endorsement deal she signed last spring.
Bueckers, a two-time first-team All-American, is averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game through six games this season. UW is undefeated and will host Holy Cross on Tuesday and play Louisville in the Women's Champions Classic on Saturday at Barclays Center.
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(Photo provided by Nike)
