Just a few days before the WNBA regular-season tips off, the Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers has found herself stepping into one of the biggest nights in fashion – the Met Gala 2026. And known for blending her on-court confidence with a distinct off-court style, she didn’t just attend the event; she made sure people noticed. And she certainly had a fellow athlete’s attention. Because among those taking notice was a WNBA player who didn’t need words to make her reaction count.

Sophie Cunningham quietly showed her approval by liking the WNBA’s Instagram post featuring Bueckers’ Met Gala look. Yes, it is a small interaction, but it still caught the attention of fans scrolling through the moment. Honestly, it wasn’t hard to see why. Paige Bueckers arrived at the event embracing the “Fashion is Art” theme with a bold, graffiti-style black pantsuit, complete with paintbrush stroke detail. It was a look that stayed true to her evolving fashion identity.

Sophie had previously expressed support for Bueckers during the latter’s world cup qualifiers in March. When Paige had posted an image of herself on social media, Sophie encouraged Bueckers by commenting, “Red white and blue looks good on youuuuu.” Not loud, but telling. The support had existed since long.

Be it her draft night outfits or her tunnel fits, the 24-year-old has consistently leaned into a style that blends masculine and feminine elements, something she’s openly spoken about while exploring spaces like New York Fashion Week. So her Gala debut simply felt like the next step in that journey. After her Rookie of the Year campaign, where she averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, Bueckers has already established herself as one of the faces of the league. Even in preseason games this year, she showed no signs of slowing down and led her team to a win against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

However, she wasn’t the only WNBA star there. As a member of this year’s host committee, the Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has been pushing that same boundary – using fashion as a form of expression. From switching up her hair color at media days, where she recently debuted a bold “Jean Grey” inspired red look, she has made it clear that style is part of her identity.

But for Bueckers, this Gala moment didn’t just happen overnight.

Style Has Always Been Part of Paige Bueckers’ Game

Back in 2024, Bueckers began carving out her identity through style during her first New York Fashion Week appearance. There, the former UConn star fully leaned into the experience by attending shows like Off-White, Tombogo, and Who Decides War while working closely with her stylist to push boundaries.

In a then interview with Vogue, she described her style as “a hybrid of masculine and feminine elements,” adding that patterns, pastels, vests, and cardigans attract her. Then in 2025, during her rookie season with the Wings, she turned a hometown game in Minneapolis into a fashion statement. In a collaboration with designer Dapper Dan, she wore a custom two-tone sweatsuit featuring a radiant lilac shade, which was ironically dubbed “The Loneliest Color.”

But fashion has never been about trends for Paige Bueckers; it’s about connecting with what she is wearing. “It actually happens to be one of my favorite colors,” she said at the time. And that’s been the constant. Paige has openly spoken about how she doesn’t believe in dressing as per norms that define women or athletes. How she feels is paramount and she doesn’t believe in fitting into certain boxes that compromise on comfort, authenticity or freedom of expression. She has often been seen donning oversized tees, hoodies, distressed denims, baggy lounge pants among other go-tos.

Whether it’s tunnel fits, fashion week appearances, or now the Met Gala, Bueckers has never treated style as just an accessory to basketball. Because for her, it’s part of her identity and something that roots itself in comfort, confidence, and freedom.