It’s the Wednesday morning following the UConn Huskies’ national championship win, and Paige Bueckers has finally though maybe temporarily ditched the basketball net she’s been wearing like a necklace all week. “I gave it a little break,” she laughs during a Zoom interview with Women’s Health. “Not wearing it today.”
For the fifth-year senior, that net symbolized a long-awaited moment. In college hoops, cutting down the net is a tradition saved for big wins, but under Coach Geno Auriemma at UConn, it’s reserved strictly for national titles. Sunday’s victory in Tampa marked Bueckers’ first. “UConn has such high standards,” says the three-time All-American and 2021 national player of the year. “There are lots of small wins along the way, but here, there’s really just one ultimate goal and that’s the one you celebrate.”
Now, as the celebrations continue across Storrs, Connecticut, Bueckers is preparing for the WNBA Draft on Monday, where she’s expected to go first overall. She’s also unveiling a major partnership with Ally Financial, now the official bank of the WNBA. “The league is on a huge rise,” says Ally’s CMO Andrea Brimmer. “They’ve become cultural icons, and Paige is right at the center of that movement.”
With millions of followers across social media, Bueckers is more than an athlete she’s a brand. And she’s intentional about managing that presence. “She has more social reach than any player male or female who played in March Madness,” Brimmer adds. “She’s the perfect authentic voice for financial wellness and smart money moves.”
Despite the whirlwind week, Bueckers sat down with Women’s Health to reflect on the championship, the viral moments that followed, and how she’s balancing her platform, mental health, and future career.
Women’s Health: Has it hit you yet?
Paige Bueckers: Not at all. It still feels surreal. We’re all still celebrating and trying to process what just happened.
WH: Rumor has it you had a Diet Coke on the court?
PB: Yep! I gave up pop all season as a way to stay disciplined. So that Diet Coke hit different definitely a celebration drink.
WH: At the open practice in Tampa, you all looked locked in. What’s the secret to that focus?
PB: Staying in the moment. When you focus on just the next play or possession not the pressure you stay grounded. Plus, the coaches keep us dialed in every day in practice. It’s just the culture here.
WH: Your team seems really close. How do you balance the fun and seriousness?
PB: They go hand-in-hand. Off the court, we’re super goofy. On the court, we bring that joy with us, and it makes playing even more fun. We just love being around each other.
WH: You’ve got a hectic week championship, Draft, brand deals. How are you juggling it all?
PB: I’m in three modes right now celebrating, prepping for the Draft, and staying present. I’m going between New York and Storrs, we’ve got a parade coming up, and I’ve got meetings with Nike, Gatorade, and other partners. It’s busy, but I’m grateful.
WH: Tell us about your new partnership with Ally.
PB: They actually take action. They’ve invested in women’s sports in a big way, and that aligns with what I believe in supporting women and building something lasting.
WH: What does financial wellness mean to you?
PB: It’s about being informed. I work with a financial advisor, and I’m learning about business, investing, equity—all of it. But I also want to understand it myself, not just rely on others.
WH: You’re clearly thinking about life beyond basketball too.
PB: 100%. Basketball ends someday. So I want to build my brand, create opportunities, and set up a future not just for me, but for others too. It’s all about laying the groundwork now.
WH: That quote of yours “They saw the world tour, not the work tour” has gone viral. Thoughts?
PB: Right? I’m glad it resonated. I used to care too much about proving doubters wrong. Now, I’m focused on proving the people who believe in me right. That’s where my energy goes.
WH: Have you stayed off social media this season on purpose?
PB: Definitely. It’s a balance. I worked with a sports psychologist to help organize my thoughts, focus on what matters, and detach from outside noise. But I also know social media matters for NIL, so I use it wisely.
WH: Any mental strategies that helped you grow this year?
PB: Leadership was big connecting with teammates, leading by example, staying present. I didn’t want to overthink the future or dwell on the past. Just show up every day.
WH: What does strength mean to you?
PB: Strength is showing up with everything you’ve got grit, resilience, motivation. For me, it’s also rooted in faith. God gives me strength, even in weakness. That’s where my true strength comes from.
WH: So many young girls are looking up to you now—what does that mean?
PB: It’s humbling. I used to look up to the Minnesota Lynx and dream of being like them. Now I get to be that inspiration for someone else. I’ll never take that for granted. I thank God every day.
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