The profiles of college student-athletes as well as their money-making options have increased drastically. This is a result of the name, image, and likeness opportunities they now have. A prominent UConn basketball star is among those taking advantage of her opportunities.
It is fair to suggest that the unprecedented attendance growth in the WNBA as charismatic rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese entered the league probably wouldn’t have happened in the pre-NIL era. There is a more troubling side to life in the NIL world as one UConn basketball star has recently discovered.
UConn Basketball Star Alleged Stalker Arrested In Connecticut
The alleged stalker of Paige Bueckers has been arrested in Connecticut and is facing charges stemming from emails sent to UConn as well as social media posts according to a report in the Hartford Courant.
Hi I dont get on this app often but there is a man claiming to go to Storrs to see Paige. He has made many claims to "sacrifice" anyone near her for some reason. I am truly scared for her safety and the team's safety.
his tiktok is cole.parmelee
— jojo🇵🇸🍉 (@pbueckers_) August 27, 2024
The 40-year-old Robert Cole Parmalee has been charged with second-degree harassment, second-degree breach of peace, and stalking. The Courant reports that he is being held on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Monday.
UConn Basketball Star Bueckers Thriving In A Social Media World
Bueckers came to UConn as the top player in a recruiting class that included the record-breaking Clark. She also arrived with plenty of buzz due to her social media presence as well those of her fans. The majority of those accounts are positive as fans are supportive of Bueckers. However, it has opened the door for the situation unfolding with Parmalee in recent months.
Parmalee lives in Washington although other reports list Parmalee as a resident of Oregon. He had a post on X with an invitation to “a celebration of love and commitment” with Bueckers on Oct. 20 at the Spokane Arena. There was also a social media post from Parmalee stating that he would “sacrifice” those close to the UConn All-American and would head to Connecticut to get her expelled from UConn.
Those threats attracted the attention of law enforcement. State police in Connecticut have been in contact with Oregon law enforcement officials to monitor Parmalee’s actions. Parmalee was in Connecticut and was arrested in Windsor Locks in late August. It was discovered that there was an active warrant in Oregon on unrelated charges.
A Busy Summer For UConn Basketball Star Bueckers
Bueckers was eligible to be selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft. However, when the Huskies were playing their final regular season home game during the 2023-24 season, Bueckers announced to the crowd during the Senior Day festivities that she would be returning to UConn for the 2024-25 season.
“I know everybody wants me to address the elephant in the room,” Bueckers told the crowd at Gampel Pavilion. “This will not be my last senior night here at UConn. I’m coming back.”
Injuries to Bueckers and other key UConn players have played a role in the Huskies failing to win a national championship since the much-heralded arrival of Bueckers. It is clear that she hasn’t done everything that she came to Storrs to accomplish with the UConn Huskies.
Bueckers has been in attendance at the WNBA games of her former teammates and was also spotted at the US Open tennis tournament.
Thank you so much to Vogue, @LeahFayeC, and everyone who dedicated time and effort to write about and follow my NYFW journey! I had an amazing time and am looking forward to continuing to grow and learn more about the fashion world💖 https://t.co/bLbmTh5lnq
— Paige Bueckers (@paigebueckers1) September 12, 2024
Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart are among the former UConn basketball stars who starred for head coach Geno Auriemma‘s powerhouse program before Bueckers. None of them have generated the off-court buzz during their college days as Bueckers though.
Bueckers Hoping To Save Her Best For Last
UConn enters 2024-25 as one of the favorites to win the national title thanks largely to the return of Bueckers. Azzi Fudd, Caroline Ducharme and Aubrey Griffin all return after missing some or all of the 2023-24 season while top national recruit Sarah Strong leads a strong group of incoming freshmen. Jana El Alfy, a part of last year’s recruiting class, is healthy and ready to step into a key role following the departure of Aaliyah Edwards to the WNBA.
The Big East men’s basketball schedule came out last week. The women’s basketball schedule could come out this week. UConn will face Fort Hays State in an exhibition game on November 3 and will open the regular season at home against Boston University four days later. The non-conference schedule includes matchups against Louisville, Notre Dame, Iowa State, USC, Tennessee, and reigning national champion South Carolina.
