"She copying off Angel Reese": Fans Abuzz as Paige Bueckers Makes Hollywood Leap With Lead Role in Apple’s ‘Jess & Pearl’

Dallas Wings star and WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers is trying her hand at a new venture. The former UConn star will play a basketball player in the film “Jess & Pearl,” according to a report from Justin Kroll of “Variety” on Wednesday.

Fans on social media reacted to the report. One fan on X jokingly tweeted that she was following Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, who made history by being the first pro athlete to walk the runway for Victoria’s Secret.

“Wow she copying off Angel.”

Other netizens shared their thoughts.

More fans on X congratulated Bueckers.

The release date has not yet been given. The reported movie would come as Reese's recent film debut in Kathryn Bigelow's “ A House of Dynamite” which is also putting the WNBA on the map.

Bueckers, in her rookie season was named to both the All-WNBA team and the WNBA All-Star team. However, her performance didn’t translate into wins for the Wings as they finished bottom of the Western Conference with a 10-34 record.

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Paige Bueckers and UConn helped design college team’s championship ring

Former UConn star Paige Bueckers helped design the team’s college championship-winning ring, according to Cydney Henderson of USA TODAY.

Paige Bueckers #5 of the Connecticut Huskies looks on during the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at Amalie Arena on April 6, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Bueckers helped UConn win a national championship in 2025 on her way to being drafted No. 1 by the Wings in the 2025 WNBA draft. The rings were awarded during a team ceremony on Thursday night called, A Night With Champions.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - OCTOBER 26: Connecticut Huskies 2025 women's national championship rings are shown at PeoplesBank Arena on October 26, 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut. The rings were designed with a collaboration from teammates Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

Paige Bueckers averaged 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists during her time with the Huskies. In her rookie season, she averaged 19.2 ppg, 3.9 apg and 5.4 apg.

Edited by Ubong Richard