Paige Bueckers Signs Deal with 3-on-3 League Unrivaled Ahead of WNBA Draft

STORRS, Conn. — Paige Bueckers, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, has signed a three-year contract with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, sources confirmed to ESPN. This decision comes as she prepares for her professional basketball career following a successful tenure at UConn.

Bueckers’ first-year salary with Unrivaled, which runs for 10 weeks, will exceed what she would earn throughout all four years of her WNBA rookie contract. If selected first in the WNBA Draft, she is expected to earn approximately $78,831 in her initial season, as outlined in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement.

Previously, Bueckers signed a Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deal with Unrivaled, granting her equity in the league, although she did not participate in its inaugural season while finishing her college career. Bueckers recently led UConn to its first national championship, averaging 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in her final collegiate season, shooting 53.4% from the field.

The addition of Bueckers to Unrivaled is part of the league’s broader strategy to attract top-tier women’s basketball talent. Sources revealed that after completing its inaugural season in March, Unrivaled plans to make signing star players a priority as it seeks to expand its opportunities in women’s basketball. Founded in 2023 by WNBA players, the league reported $27 million in revenue, more than double its initial projection.

The league aims to build on its success by focusing on enhancing the playing experience for its athletes, rather than simply expanding through adding teams. Bueckers’s multi-year contract is part of this effort to create viable off-season playing options for WNBA players.

As the WNBA draft approaches, Bueckers’ anticipated selection by Dallas, who holds the top pick, could lead to thrilling matchups during next season’s Rivals Week in August. This week will showcase multiple games, including a rematch between New York and Minnesota, as well as Bueckers potentially facing her former UConn teammate, Aliyah Boston.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighted the importance of developing rivalries to enhance the sport’s visibility. The inaugural Rivals Week will include live broadcasts and sponsorship from Ally Financial, with a focus on athlete engagement and media connectivity. “The timing of that week is critical, because in August you start to really make that playoff push,” Engelbert said.

“There’s going to be a full slate of games that week, and that’s going to be a cool part of the activation,” Engelbert stated.

Additionally, Bueckers has signed an endorsement deal with Ally, which has previously engaged with Unrivaled as a partner. “Partnering with Ally is about more than just banking — it’s about making your money work smarter,” Bueckers said. “Success isn’t just about the game you play, but the opportunity and resources you access.”

With Bueckers’s engagement, both the WNBA and Unrivaled look to boost their profiles and deliver thrilling basketball to fans and players alike as they navigate a new era of women’s sports.