Paige Bueckers Announces Exciting News That Will Expand Her Influence Beyond Basketball

Paige Bueckers (Photo by Getty Images)

Paige Bueckers has long been one of the most electrifying figures in women’s basketball, and now, she’s stepping into a brand-new spotlight.

The UConn Huskies star and future WNBA talent recently revealed that she will be featured in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, marking a significant moment in her career outside of basketball.

Paige Bueckers Joins the 2025 SI Swimsuit Issue

“Joining the lineup for the 2025 SI Swimsuit issue is Paige Bueckers, a generational talent redefining the game on and off the court! 🏀,” SI Swimsuit announced.

“Paige is known not only for her elite playmaking skills but also for her confidence, style, and influence. From her dominant seasons with the UConn Huskies to her highly anticipated transition to the WNBA, Bueckers continues to make waves in sports and fashion alike.”

PAIGE BUECKERS FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT!! OMG!! 😍🔥

— MCeleb admirers (@celeblovers2016) November 15, 2024

Speaking on a recent podcast, Bueckers shared her enthusiasm for stepping into the world of modeling, expressing admiration for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and Body Issue features.

“I think it’s empowering to celebrate athletes for their strength, dedication, and the work we put into our bodies,” Bueckers said. “We’re not just competitors on the court—we’re role models and inspirations in all aspects of life.”

Paige Bueckers’ Basketball Dominance

Bueckers has been a force in college basketball, averaging 17.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game during her time at UConn. Many experts predict she will be a top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, with teams eager to secure her elite skills and leadership.

Despite battling injuries throughout her college career, Bueckers has remained one of the most marketable and recognizable faces in women’s sports, partnering with major brands and setting trends with her pre-game fashion.

Paige Bueckers Announces Engagement to Jalen Suggs

What a year it has been for Paige Bueckers!

Shortly after revealing her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit feature, Bueckers announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend and NBA player Jalen Suggs.

Suggs, who plays for the Orlando Magic, proposed during a romantic getaway in Santorini, Greece. The couple, who met during their high school basketball years and remained close throughout college, shared the joyous news on social media with heartfelt messages and stunning engagement photos.

With a future WNBA career on the horizon, a growing brand presence, and now an engagement to one of the NBA’s rising stars, Paige Bueckers is proving she’s more than just a basketball phenom—she’s a cultural icon in the making.

VIDEO: Some Dude Just Dropped The Cold Hard Truth On Why All Of These NFL Prospects Are “Dating White Women”

Unless this is your first day in America, then you know race relations in this country dominate just everything, and that includes NBA and NFL drafts

During the most recent NFL Draft in Detroit, social media was buzzing as athletes showed up to the red carpet event with their girlfriends and family. Many of the incoming NFL rookies were African-American and were spotted with white women, which has become the usual theme for years.

The same thing happens with the NBA Draft.

This year, the discourse on the NFL Draft and NBA Draft has gotten even louder as African-American women openly pondered why so many of the players never have a partner that is the same race as them.

One guy on TikTok decided to answer that question by revealing that the vast majority of his division-1 friends in college or headed to the league are dating or married to white women and explained why.

He stated that some of them had told him that their white girlfriend looked up to Taylor Swift while their girlfriend looked up to Megan The Stallion. He then states the guy asks how many white women he has seen doing the Megan Thee Stallion challenge as opposed to Black women.

He then dove into another story of a friend who relayed that his Black girlfriend started to request money from him as soon as she found out about his NIL money. She wanted her hair and nails done. He then added that the Black women would be upset if they went to places like Chipotle, and she demanded steak houses.