Another thrilling season of college basketball is just a few weeks away, and the excitement is already in the air. There’s no shortage of storylines to follow. Can UConn stay on top without Paige Bueckers leading the charge? Will Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks return with vengeance after falling short last season? Can Lauren Betts finally lead UCLA to their first-ever national championship? But even with all these fresh narratives brewing, the shadow of last season still lingers…

Last season gave Paige Bueckers the kind of storybook ending every college star dreams of. She led UConn to its 12th national championship, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest Huskies ever. Even though she’s now moved on to the pros, her presence still echoes through every corner of college basketball. Why do we say that?

Well, according to Just Women’s Sports, Paige Bueckers is still among the top-selling female athletes in the NIL Store this week, and she’s not even in college anymore. Her former UConn teammate, Azzi Fudd, tops the list, with Paige right behind her. The fact that the Huskies duo continues to dominate jersey sales speaks volumes. Even after graduating, Paige’s name still moves the needle in college hoops.

You’re probably wondering… how’s that even possible? The NIL Store is meant for college athletes, not pros, and June officially marked the end of Paige Bueckers’ legendary run as a collegiate name on the platform. As the 2024–25 academic year wrapped up, she bowed out in style (or so some thought), finishing as the top-earning female athlete on the NIL Store for an incredible 15th straight month.

Well, the reason behind that is actually pretty cool. The NIL Store, backed by businessman Mark Cuban, has a partnership with the WNBPA, allowing WNBA players to continue earning from their college legacy gear. That means fans can still buy Paige Bueckers’ UConn merchandise alongside items from stars like Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Angel Reese, and Alyssa Thomas. And that’s exactly why Bueckers still ranks second, and ahead of names like Flau’jae Johnson and Andi Jackson.

There’s no doubt Paige will be spotted courtside for a few UConn games this season, as it lines up perfectly with her offseason. But what she’ll really have her eyes on is how the Dallas Wings respond after last year’s disappointment. And the Wings have already started making moves.

Paige Bueckers will have a new coach next season

The Dallas Wings’ guard had a rookie season to forget, even though she shattered countless records–including setting the WNBA record for most points scored by a rookie in a single game. Despite her individual brilliance, the Wings managed just 10 wins and fell short of making the playoffs for only the second time since relocating.

Unsurprisingly, first-time coach Chris Koclanes was let go after the disappointing season. For a while, many expected Sandy Brondello to take the reins, but the Wings have stunned everyone once again. Reports now suggest they are close to hiring Jose Fernandez as their next head coach.

At 53, Jose Fernandez brings decades of experience, having helmed South Florida since 2000 and transforming the Bulls into a perennial mid-major powerhouse. With a 485-317 career record and nine NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 12 seasons, he has proven his ability to build sustained success. For a franchise aiming to craft a long-term project under a coach, Fernandez seems to be the right man to lead it.

Fernandez will become the franchise’s fifth head coach in just seven seasons, and everyone in the organization is hoping that this time, stability finally sticks. Only time will tell if it does. Paige will be eager to connect with her new coach and continue developing her game, while fans will be watching closely to see how the Wings navigate the upcoming free agency.