Well, well, well—looks like Paige Bueckers is rubbing elbows with the big dogs now! The 23-year-old UConn sensation just landed herself a coveted spot on SportsPro’s list of the most marketable athletes in the world, because why not? Sliding into the 17th spot, she’s officially sharing the stage with legends like LeBron James, Caitlin Clark, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. No big deal, right?
Other household names strutting above her on the list include Kylian Mbappé, Lewis Hamilton, and Coco Gauff—though the GOAT of balance beams, Simone Biles, strutted her way to the top of the list. But don’t get it twisted: Bueckers isn’t just any ol’ basketball player on this roster. Oh no, she’s the only NCAA hooper to make the cut. Talk about rolling in some elite company.
Now, this placement on the list isn’t just a “Congrats, you’re popular!” trophy. It’s all about that Marketability Score (fancy, right?), which breaks down athletes based on three key factors: audience engagement, brand strength, and economic value. You know, the kind of stuff that sponsors drool over. Apparently, the fact that fans absolutely adore her, along with her baller skills and spotless reputation, made Bueckers a marketer’s dream.
Paige Snubbed by Sports Illustrated – Wait, What?
However, before you think she’s invincible, Sports Illustrated didn’t even throw her a bone in their list of the 50 most influential figures in the world. Yup, not a single mention. Meanwhile, LeBron and Caitlin Clark casually strutted their way into SI’s lineup. But hey, Paige is in good company with some fellow snubbed NCAA ballers like Flau’jae Johnson and JuJu Watkins. SI can’t have all the fun, right?
Paige’s Preseason Swag – And She’s Not Stopping There
Not only is Paige flexing her marketability muscles, but she’s also raking in the honors on the court. Recently named to AP’s Preseason All-American Team for the 2024-25 season, she’s gearing up for what could be her swan song in college basketball. And honestly, who wouldn’t stick around for one more NCAA trophy run before bouncing to the WNBA?
Last season, she was out there putting up video game numbers: 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Yeah, you read that right. The only thing missing was a “God mode” cheat code.
As Bueckers and her UConn squad prepare for what could be their best season yet, head coach Geno Auriemma made it clear that he’s expecting Paige to go full Scorer Mode. So, if you were hoping she’d be dishing out assists left and right—think again. This season, it’s buckets over buddies.
Joining Bueckers on the AP All-American roster are some young guns to watch out for, like USC’s freshman of the year JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, and Texas Longhorns’ Maddie Booker. But let’s be real—it’s Paige’s show, and we’re all just here for the popcorn.
So, grab your seats, folks. Bueckers is about to go full throttle, and she’s bringing that “I’m going pro soon” energy. Just don’t be surprised when she starts dominating headlines, both on and off the court. After all, legends don’t wait around—they make lists.
