The NFL legend’s 19-second video to the WNBA rookie everyone is talking about

A new partnership, a powerful message, and a rising superstar’s next chapterMARCALAPRESSE

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 to Paige Bueckers

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.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.