Paige Bueckers, a star player for the UConn Huskies, has signed a groundbreaking NIL deal with the new Unrivaled women's 3-on-3 basketball league, becoming the first NCAA athlete to receive ownership equity in a professional league. The league, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is set to launch in January 2025 and will operate outside the WNBA season. Bueckers will play in both Unrivaled and the WNBA after her college career, joining other notable players like Kelsey Plum and Angel Reese. Unrivaled promises the highest average pay in professional women's basketball and includes a 10-15% ownership pool for its players. Bueckers' deal underscores her significant talent and popularity, coming off a strong collegiate career despite injuries that sidelined her for parts of two seasons. This move is seen as a significant step towards better compensation and opportunities for women in basketball.