Latest news with #NaismithCollegePlayeroftheYear
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Inside Paige Bueckers' net worth, girlfriend reveal and road to WNBA glory
Image: Paige Bueckers is officially living her best life on and off the court. The reigning 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year is bringing style, swagger, and serious game to the Dallas Wings. But the buzz is that she's now confirmed a romantic relationship with none other than her former UConn teammate and fellow star guard, Azzi Fudd. That reveal came during All-Star Weekend in July 2025 on WAG Talk's orange-carpet quiz titled 'How well do you know your D‑1 girlfriend?' When asked to name who she was dating, Bueckers grinned and said, 'Azzi Fudd' — officially ending months of speculation sparked by viral hints like Fudd's phone case declaring 'Paige Bueckers' Girlfriend', matching necklaces, cozy selfies, and public outings together. Their connection goes way back—they first bonded at USA Basketball camps as teenagers, played side by side at UConn, and helped lead the Huskies to their 2025 national championship. With Azzi set to return to college in 2025–26 and eyeing the WNBA in 2026, the duo is shaping up to be one of women's basketball's most compelling 'power couples.' Born October 20, 2001, in Edina, Minnesota, Paige Madison Bueckers grew up in nearby St. Louis Park. . Her dad, Bob Bueckers, is a software engineer who coached her youth basketball teams. Her mom, Amy Fuller (Dettbarn), was a college-level cross‑country and track athlete and later became a dental-equipment specialist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo As of mid‑2025, reports suggestPaige Bueckers is estimated to have a net worth of roughly $1.4 to $1.5 million. This isn't your typical pro-athlete payday — she built most of that fortune during college due to Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) deals that set new benchmarks for female athletes. Her NIL earnings are estimated at around $1.4 million in 2024–25 alone. Now that she's been drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, her four‑year rookie WNBA contract is worth about $348,000 total, starting at around $78,800 in 2025 and increasing modestly each year through 2028. Key achievements Won the 2021 Naismith College Player of the Year as a freshman, a first in NCAA history. Led UConn to another national championship in April 2025, ending a nine‑year title drought In 2025, she was unanimously voted AP first‑team All‑American and earned multiple top awards including the Wade Trophy, Nancy Lieberman Award, and Big East Player of the Year Averaged approximately 19.8 points, 4.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals per game, shooting around 54.5% from the field during her senior season Paige Bueckers is already a generational talent — on the court, off the court, and on your timeline. At just 23, she's smashing records, redefining what NIL can do for women's sports, and handling fame with an impressive mix of grace, honesty, and humor. She's building her legacy one trademark, one endorsement, and one clutch bucket at a time.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabrina Ionescu is having a down year, but she's making it work
Editor's Note: This story is part of a series from SB Nation profiling the 2025 WNBA All-Star teams. Today, let's get to know Sabrina Ionescu. Sabrina Ionescu hit one of the biggest shots in basketball history last October, a Game 3 game-winner in the WNBA Finals, en route to her first WNBA championship. 'It's a shot that I take often,' she said. 'I take it in practice, I take it before the games. It's not like a Hail Mary, hope-this-goes-in. Once I got it off, I was like, 'Yeah, this is it.'' She followed that massive moment up with another All-Star season, this time averaging a career-best points per game. Ionescu is an All-Star for the fourth time in her career, adding another accolade to an accolade-filled resume. The 5'11 guard is the NCAA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, was the Naismith College Player of the Year her senior year at Oregon, and has been a three-time member of the All-WNBA Second Team. And, she famously holds the record for most threes made at an All-Star three-point contest at either the NBA or WNBA level — that record was set when she hit 25 of 27 attempts en route to 37 points in 2023. This season, Sabrina Ionescu has struggled offensively The Liberty's title defense season hasn't been all smooth sailing. While the team was dominant at full strength, things haven't been the same since last year's Finals MVP, Jonquel Jones, went down with injury. They've dropped five of their last ten games, and Ionescu has been in a bit of a slump herself. On Saturday, in a narrow win over the Dream, Ionescu scored 9 points on just 3 of 20 shooting. On Wednesday, she followed that up with a 15-point, 5-14 shooting performance (albeit alongside 9 assists). This season, the former Oregon star has averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. She's shooting 38% from the field and 30.9% from three, both career lows. Still, she'll partake in the WNBA All-Star three-point contest on Friday, where she'll instantly be one of the headliners, alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and several others, including Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, and Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron. And, almost inevitably, she'll soon find her rhythm. The Liberty guard holds the record for most threes made in a single WNBA season (128 in 2023). That season, she shot a ridiculous 44.8% from three. Since then, she's hit plenty of big ones. Amid the shooting struggles, Ionescu is getting to the line more than ever before, attempting 4.9 free throws per night on a ridiculous 93.4% shooting. Her defense is better than ever, and she's averaging a career-best 1.6 steals. Ionescu, despite some uncharacteristic shooting struggles, remains critical for the Liberty's repeat hopes.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks' Cooper Flagg grabs attention with 1-word post after NBA Draft
The post Mavericks' Cooper Flagg grabs attention with 1-word post after NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. Cooper Flagg and the basketball-watching world knew he was going to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. That distinct honor was projected before the 6-foot-9 forward even suited up for the Duke Blue Devils, and he solidified his spot on the top of the board with a historic freshman campaign. Even so, the Dallas Mavericks rookie still made sure to truly appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime moment Advertisement Following a celebration and interview-filled Wednesday night, Flagg was able to process everything that transpired in Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center. He took to social media and described the unforgettable experience with just one word. 'Blessed,' the 18-year-old posted on Instagram, along with some photos that he and his family should look back on with the utmost pride and satisfaction. The sport's latest phenom has officially arrived in The Association. He has the versatile skill set, composed demeanor and on-court intensity to ensure that this is only the beginning of what many anticipate will be a long and prosperous NBA career. Cooper Flagg is inspiring a ton of confidence Although the Mavericks will not publicly say it, they are hoping Flagg can immediately take a leap toward stardom. Actually, it is reasonable to call him the team's X-factor going into the 2025-26 season. Most rookies do not have to carry such a label, but the Naismith College Player of the Year is a unique prospect. Furthermore, he is walking into a unique situation. Advertisement Dallas has a potential long-term answer after controversially trading Luka Doncic, but make no mistake, there is still a strong sense of urgency percolating through American Airlines Center. Anthony Davis is a two-way powerhouse, Kyrie Irving remains an offensive dynamo when healthy, and the supporting cast is comprised of promising and valuable contributors. Cooper Flagg could potentially boost the Mavs' ceiling to another level, and not just in the long run. Expecting the Newport, Maine native to make an immediate impact and carry a decent workload while Irving recovers from his torn ACL is admittedly ambitious. It also places a great amount of pressure on his shoulders. But as his latest Instagram post suggests, this young man is grounded and eager to challenge himself. Flagg will try to further capitalize on his blessings as he gets to work with the Mavericks. Related: Shams gives Mavericks 'best frontcourt in NBA' label Related: Potential Cooper Flagg-Bronny James faceoff gets a date
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke basketball makes confident Cooper Flagg claim before NBA Draft
The post Duke basketball makes confident Cooper Flagg claim before NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. Duke basketball made a confident social media post about Cooper Flagg ahead of the NBA Draft. The Blue Devils are coming off a stellar third season under head coach Jon Scheyer. The past year's team finished with a record of 35-4, winning the ACC regular season and conference tournament championships en route to a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance. Duke subsequently made it to the Final Four, where its season ended in an epic clash against Houston. Advertisement While it may not have been the ending Jon Scheyer and company wanted, the Blue Devils' head coach has this program back to its healthy, championship-contending ways. And the main reason Duke basketball was able to put together this special season was due to former No. 1 overall recruit Cooper Flagg. The Newport, Maine native lived up to the hype and then some, becoming the first freshman since Zion Williamson to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award. Flagg now heads into the draft as the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick, and Duke basketball believes that is a given in a recent post on Twitter when Cooper visited the program for a youth camp. Next season's Blue Devils team has large shoes to fill after the success of Cooper Flagg and company. Fortunately, Jon Scheyer has assembled another elite recruiting class, headlined by the Boozer twins. Cameron and Cayden are five-star recruits who should be immediate stars on this roster. Duke basketball also returns a few contributors from this past season's team, including Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, and Isaiah Evans. Evans, in particular, has All-American potential, so his coming back to Durham is critical for this program. Advertisement In addition, Jon Scheyer made a huge transfer portal splash, adding Washington State standout Cedric Coward. Duke basketball may not have the high-level talent that the Cooper Flagg squad did, but this team could be built for an even deeper NCAA Tournament run if this group builds the necessary chemistry. It would be par for the course with Scheyer's tenure should the Blue Devils continue going further in the Big Dance. Overall, it wasn't all that bold for Duke basketball to make this claim. A lot would have to go wrong for Cooper Flagg not to be the No. 1 pick in this upcoming draft. The 18-year-old is a generational talent and will be the consensus favorite to win Rookie of the Year for the 2025-26 NBA season. And Flagg has brought Duke basketball back to where it belongs. It's up to Schyer to continue this momentum in Durham. Related: Dawn Thornton, Alabama A&M land former Pac-12 assistant Related: 4-star big man reclassifies to 2025 to play for Alabama this season
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg Sends Strong Message After Arriving in New York for 2025 NBA Draft
Cooper Flagg Sends Strong Message After Arriving in New York for 2025 NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the focus remains on the NBA Finals—which will officially conclude Sunday night when the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder face off in Game 7—attention is already beginning to shift toward the 2025 NBA draft, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Advertisement The first round will take place on Wednesday, with the second round unfolding the following day. The biggest name in this year's draft remains Duke Blue Devils superstar Cooper Flagg, who is widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks. On Saturday, Flagg arrived in Brooklyn, New York ahead of the big night. With several pre-draft festivities on the schedule, he sent a strong and heartfelt message, sharing that many people from his home state of Maine will be making the trip to the Barclays Center to support him. 'I'm excited—should be a fun week, filled with a bunch of events," Flagg said. "I feel blessed to be here. It means a lot. A bunch of my family and friends are making the trip up from Maine to celebrate. Hopefully I'll hear my name called. It's just a really cool and special experience.' Flagg capped off a private meeting and workout with the Mavericks earlier this week, and all signs continue to point toward him being the first player to hear his name called on Wednesday night. Several of his Duke teammates—including Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach—are also expected to be selected shortly after. Advertisement During his standout freshman season, Flagg helped lead the Blue Devils to both the ACC regular season and conference tournament titles, as well as a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Former Duke forward Cooper Flagg at the 2025 NBA Draft Banks-Imagn Image He led the team in nearly every major statistical category, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. His dominant year earned him the Wooden Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, and both ACC Player and Rookie of the Year honors. Related: Lakers Land Duke Star in Proposed Dalton Knecht Trade Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
