She has remained injury-free during this year’s March Madness tournament and seems to be focusing on the good things. “I’m just trying to have fun,” Bakkers said. big east conference. “I missed this opportunity last year, so I want to embrace this opportunity and remember why I play and the joy of playing. I always play better when I’m happy.”
3. She was once teammates with Caitlin Clark.
The Final Four will be a showdown between two powerhouses, but they weren’t always rivals. Bueckers and Clark were actually teammates briefly a few years ago.Both played for Team USA in FIBA U19 in 2019. World Cup— and won a gold medal. In fact, Bueckers helped his team win in the overtime final, and he was named MVP of the tournament.
“Ever since I’ve known her since she was in middle school, she’s always worked hard, always had passion, and always been a great leader. And for her and her year, I I honestly couldn’t be happier with what I had,” Clark said. SNY Advance to the Final Four.
4. Bookers uses his platform for advocacy.
The Buccaneers hired her after winning the ESPY’s Best Female College Athlete award in 2021. Award speech as an opportunity to advocate for Black athletes. “As a white woman leading a black-led sport, I want to shine a light on black women who don’t get the media coverage they deserve. They contribute so much to this sport, to our community, to society as a whole. Its value is undeniable.”
Booker too Purpose her sociable media platform To bring attention to racism, police brutality, and social injustice. It’s personal for Bookers, whose younger brother Drew is Black.she captioned the carousel Drew’s photo “I’m going to work for change, brother. I want you to grow up in a world that accepts you for who you are.”
5. She applied to trademark the nickname “Paige Bucket.”
Bookers must have sensed an opportunity when the NCAA began allowing name, image and likeness (NIL) revenue for student-athletes in 2021. according to. sports illustrated, She decided to trademark the term “Paige Bucket” to sell merchandise (i.e., “shirts, pants, jackets, footwear, hats and hats, athletic uniforms”) tagged with her appropriate nickname. I applied. Trademark application).Apparently it was later registered as a trademark. abandonedbut now that UConn is back in the Final Four for a record 23rd time, it might be time to revive the plan so Bueckers fans can get some serious prizes. .
6. And she already has some pretty cool sponsorships and partnerships.
Bueckers has over 2.2 million followers Instagram and tick tock Combined, she could become one of the highest-paid college athletes. In 2022, sports illustrated In the first 18 months after the NIL rule went into effect, she is estimated to have earned $824,000. She has partnered with several notable brands. CVS, dunkin,Furthermore american army. She is also sponsored by Gatorade and Nike.
7. She gets along very well with her teammates.
Bueckers is all about his teammates on and off the court.After the match Press conference Asked by the media on March 11 about teammate Nika Muhl’s desire to break the school assist record (which she has since achieved), Bueckers passed up an opportunity to help Muhl reach 500 assists in a recent game. He said he was “pissed off” by this. Afterwards, the backers became emotional at the thought of ending their time playing together and said: They’re my twins,” she said.
