Paige Bueckers is still five months away from finishing her first WNBA season, yet she already looks like a veteran champion.
Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-WNBA Second Team, record-breaker-the Dallas Wings guard has done it all in year one. And when most players would be catching their breath, Bueckers is already moving to her next big challenge.
After signing on as an actor and producer for the Netflix film Jess & Pearl, the 24-year-old phenom is now making headlines for a different reason. Her next move is bigger, more personal, and it even caught the attention of Tom Brady.
Your game inspires a lot of people, and we’re proud to have you with us
Tom Brady’s message that broke the internet
The seven-time Super Bowl champion personally welcomed Bueckers after she signed a multi-year memorabilia deal with Fanatics. In a short video posted on November 12, Brady looked straight into the camera and spoke from the heart.
“Hey Paige, Tom Brady here. From one Fanatics teammate to another, welcome to the family. I’ve seen how you compete with total heart and joy-you’re so clutch. Your game inspires a lot of people, and we’re proud to have you with us,” he said.
The 19-second clip quickly made the rounds online, with fans flooding comments sections to celebrate the crossover between the NFL legend and the WNBA’s newest superstar.
A partnership built on purpose
Bueckers’ agreement makes Fanatics the exclusive home for her signed memorabilia, including basketballs, jerseys, and game-used collectibles from her UConn and Dallas Wings days. She joins an impressive list of athletes under the Fanatics Authentic label, such as Sabrina Ionescu, JuJu Watkins, Victor Wembanyama, Paul Skenes, Harry Kane, and Brady himself.
Yet the real story lies in what the partnership represents. Fanatics will make annual donations to the Paige Bueckers Foundation, the organization she founded to promote equity in sports, creativity, wellness, and food access.
“Teaming up with Fanatics felt natural,” Bueckers told Forbes. “It lets me connect with fans and create new opportunities for them to support me. My journey has not been the easiest, so seeing people continue to believe in me through the highs and lows is really special.”
From UConn hero to cultural force
Bueckers led UConn to the 2025 NCAA Championship, ending a decade-long drought. Her leadership and skill have carried into her rookie season, where she has become one of the league’s most influential young players.
Tom Brady’s message felt like more than a welcome. It was recognition from one icon to another, a symbolic nod to the next generation of greatness.
Read the full article here
