Mon Apr 14 23:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Bueckers Signs Lucrative Multi-Year Deal with Unrivaled 3-on-3 League, Bypassing Immediate WNBA Salary
**MINNEAPOLIS, MN –** Paige Bueckers, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, has signed a three-year deal with the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, sources told ESPN. The contract surpasses what she would earn in four years as a WNBA rookie, even as the top draft pick. Her first-year salary alone will exceed the $78,831 she’s projected to make in her inaugural WNBA season.
Bueckers, a recent NCAA champion with UConn, concluded a stellar collegiate career with averages of 19.9 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. Her performance cemented her status as a potential franchise-altering player for the Dallas Wings, who currently hold the top draft pick.
The multi-million dollar deal builds on Bueckers’ existing relationship with Unrivaled, which she joined last year via an NIL agreement. This new contract marks a significant investment by the burgeoning league, founded in 2023 by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Unrivaled’s inaugural season exceeded expectations, generating over $27 million in revenue.
Instead of expanding its roster of teams, Unrivaled is prioritizing attracting top women’s basketball talent, offering them substantial financial support and premier resources. Bueckers’ signing follows the league’s efforts to recruit top players like Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, solidifying Unrivaled’s position as a premier offseason destination for WNBA players. The move underscores the growing opportunities available to women’s basketball players beyond the traditional WNBA season.
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