In this episode of NILOSOPHY, Deja Kelly sits down with Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, for an unfiltered interview. From dominating at UConn to navigating injuries, NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals, and building a brand off the court—Paige shares it all.
Paige talks about why she declined an additional year of eligibility at UConn, how she built a multimillion-dollar NIL brand from scratch, and the real business behind NIL deals, social media, and agents. She also discusses what it’s like to get drafted and play for the Dallas Wings; behind-the-scenes stories from working with companies like Nike, Gatorade, and Verizon; and why she’s fighting for change in the WNBA’s next CBA.
Paige also reflects on the power of relationships, her coach Geno Auriemma’s evolution in the NIL era, and the real mental toll of being a public figure at the top of the game.