Paige Bueckers won’t rest this offseason, as is the case for most players in the WNBA.
The 2025 Rookie of the Year will play in Year 2 of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league announced Monday.
The new women’s league, co-founded in 2023 by perennial All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, will return to action on Jan. 5.
Why is Paige Bueckers Playing in Unrivaled?
The WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick in 2025, Bueckers had a sensational debut season with the Dallas Wings, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 36 games en route to winning Rookie of the Year.
Traditionally, WNBA players have played overseas during the offseason to supplement their relatively modest salaries. But Unrivaled — which paid players an average of more than $220,000 last season — has become a financially lucrative alternative, especially for some of the biggest names in women’s basketball. Bueckers is no exception.
The former UConn star initially signed with Unrivaled in April and also became an investor. Her salary is expected to easily surpass what she took home in base pay as a WNBA rookie.
“The No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft earned $78,831 in her rookie season,” ESPN’s Kendra Andrews said, citing the league’s collective bargaining agreement. “Sources told ESPN that her first-year salary for the 10-week Unrivaled season will exceed what she would make in four years of her WNBA rookie contract.”
Bueckers recorded the third-most points (692) and assists (194) by a rookie in WNBA history and also set the rookie single-game scoring record, pouring in 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 20.
This comes after an outstanding collegiate career at UConn, where the Minnesota-born point guard was a three-time All-American and one of college basketball’s most popular players in the age of name, image and likeness (NIL).
Bueckers ushered the Huskies to their record 12th national championship in April, averaging 24.8 points in the NCAA Tournament. She was awarded the Wade Trophy as the nation’s top player.
What Other Top Players Have Committed to Unrivaled?
Saniya Rivers and Erica Wheeler were also named as new additions Monday to Unrivaled, joining returning players Alyssa Thomas, Rickea Jackson and Satou Sabally. Lexie Hull and, of course, Stewart, were announced Tuesday.
Unrivaled plans to slowly roll out more names daily over the coming week, with the total number of players increasing from 36 to 54. Rosters for the eight teams — including expansion clubs Breeze BC and Hive BC — will be unveiled in November.
Wings Star Paige Bueckers Makes Major Offseason Announcement