If there’s one thing Paige Bueckers takes as seriously as basketball, it’s food. Her first DoorDash order after landing in Dallas? Taco Bell. And remember that viral food challenge with KK Arnold? Paige approached it like a final-four game, making sure not to leave out the dips or the drink. She even called out KK for “cheating” mid-bite. The winner? With that intensity, obviously, Bueckers. Also, if she ever is in Minnesota at the time of the state fair, she always has an appetite for two orders of Pronto Pups and Corndogs. So, it makes sense why she has had sponsorships with companies like Dunkin. She needs a dessert too, after all.

But, you know, as they say – The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table. And Bueckers has always believed in this. She used to wake up at 5 a.m. during the month of Ramadan to join and cook for her UConn teammate, Jana El Alfy. “She makes really good scrambled eggs,” El Alfy said, adding that the duo’s go-to power breakfast is avocado toast with eggs. So, of course, after she won the national championship, she turned to DoorDash again, and judging by the length of the receipt, it seems like she had a party. She dropped exactly $540.72 on a DoorDash feast of 400 boneless wings, complete with fries, veggie sticks, and a mountain of dipping sauces.

Well, that is a good amount, and as Johnson once guessed, the “NIL money is, indeed, treating her well. And we love this for her!” And anyway, that $540.72 worth of order turned into another opportunity for her, so things have a way of falling into place. After being picked by the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 overall pick, the Dallas-based company decided to make that legendary order officially iconic. Wingstop has now joined the squad of sponsors backing Paige Bueckers—and they’re rolling out a meal named after her. The menu will include:

Six hot classic wings
Six Hickory Smoked BBQ boneless wings
Two Garlic Parmesan crispy tenders
Large seasoned fries
Two ranch dips

Fans can now grab the Bueckers Flavor Lineup at Wingstop.com or through the Wingstop app for a limited time. The meal is priced at $17.99 at most locations nationwide, though prices may vary slightly by state, according to a company spokesperson. Mark Christenson, Wingstop’s chief revenue officer, added: “Paige is a baller – not just because she’s one of Wingstop’s biggest fans, but because she brings her own unique flavor to the game. … Teaming up with Paige and the next generation of elite athletes – who always bring the flavor – was a no-brainer.”

At first glance, it’s hard to picture Paige Bueckers, a 23-year-old NCAA champion and multi-millionaire, as someone relatable. But underneath it all, she’s still just 23 and fresh out of college. Despite her status as an elite athlete with a strict training and nutrition routine, she reminds us that indulging every now and then is perfectly okay. “Wingstop has always been part of my routine,” Bueckers said in a statement. “Whether it’s a late-night craving or a big win on the court, Wingstop hits every time.” Thankfully, she is not holding up toxic, unsustainable habits, and is reminding us what “healthy” actually means. And again, we love her for this.

Wingstop is making big moves in the WNBA after becoming the Official Chicken Partner of the NBA and NBA G League starting October 2024. It’s no surprise they chose Paige Bueckers. She’s an up-and-coming star who’s highly relatable to fans, and she’s almost single-handedly keeping basketball excitement alive in the city after the Luka Dončić fiasco.

Paige Bueckers’ Popularity Still Simmering Amid Team Performance Gaps

When the Dallas Wings selected Paige Bueckers in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the impact was felt immediately. By June, the organization had sold merchandise in all 50 states and 23 different countries, a testament to Bueckers’ broad appeal. And after just six games into her rookie season, she was named to Adweek’s 2025 Most Powerful Women in Sports list, solidifying her as a rising star both on and off the court.

Her arrival has also boosted attendance at Wings games. The average crowd this season has grown to around 7,500, up from 6,900 last year. While part of that increase can be attributed to the two highly anticipated matchups against Indiana held at American Airlines Center, each drawing over 20,000 fans, the overall popularity of the Wings has clearly climbed.

Even Caitlin Clark, Bueckers’ college-era counterpart and now league rival, acknowledged her drawing power. “Honestly, they should move every game to American Airlines,” Clark said in April. “Paige has that type of draw. She’ll be able to bring those types of fans in.” And she did, bringing in a sellout crowd even when Clark was sidelined for that first marquee matchup.

That has led some to question whether the Wings are limiting their growth by continuing to play most home games at College Park Center, which seats just 7,000. With a new downtown Dallas arena not scheduled to open until 2027, a temporary shift in venue strategy, or upgrades to College Park Center, could help meet growing demand as early as next season.

Despite all this momentum, Bueckers’ rise hasn’t mirrored the meteoric surge Caitlin Clark experienced upon entering the WNBA. While Bueckers was every bit as impactful in college, both statistically and culturally, Clark hit the pro stage first and took full advantage of her head start. She captivated fans and the media alike, quickly becoming the face of the league. In contrast, Bueckers’ popularity has grown more gradually.

One key reason is team performance. The Wings currently sit at 6–16, and Bueckers has had little help on the court. She’s been exceptional individually, leading the team in points, assists, and steals, but Dallas is in a rebuilding phase after parting ways with most of last season’s core players. That lack of success has affected both the team’s national profile and the speed of Bueckers’ individual ascent.

Paige Bueckers may not have exploded onto the WNBA scene with the same flash as Caitlin Clark, but her influence is undeniable and steadily rising with various new endorsements like the Wingstop deal. While the Dallas Wings’ team struggles may have slowed the pace of her national takeover, Bueckers’ on-court excellence and marketability have already transformed the franchise’s trajectory.