Paige Bueckers And Hailey Van Lith Top Men In March Madness Media Buzz

Now that the 2025 March Madness tournament is in the books, it’s pretty clear who’s owning the spotlight—and it goes well beyond what happened on the court. The names making the biggest waves right now aren’t just raising trophies; they’re showing up on late-night talk shows, landing magazine covers, and becoming familiar faces far outside the world of college basketball. Paige Bueckers and Hailey Van Lith are household names, and their growing presence signals a real shift in how today’s stars break into the mainstream.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, even standout players like Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who’s projected to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft, was relatively quiet in the post-tournament media cycle. Bueckers and Van Lith, though? They’re everywhere. And with the WNBA Draft just around the corner, this moment feels like the launchpad for something even bigger.

It’s not just their skill sets that set them apart—though there’s no shortage of talent. What really makes the difference is how long they’ve been in the spotlight. A lot of top college players on the men’s side jump to the pros after just one season, which doesn’t leave much time to build a real connection with fans. Bueckers, Van Lith, and Clark have spent years competing at a high level, building loyal followings, and giving the media time to tell their stories. That kind of sustained presence? It’s turning great players into cultural icons.

Paige Bueckers: March Madness Champ And Late Night Fan Favorite

Sunday, April 6th, 2025 was a night to remember for Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies. They broke a nine-year title drought in spectacular fashion, dominating the reigning champion South Carolina Gamecocks with a commanding 82–59 victory to secure their 12th national championship. Bueckers finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. She also received the Nancy Lieberman Award for top point guard in women’s college basketball and the Wade Trophy as the national player of the year. Bueckers, without a doubt, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft on April 14.

But her moment didn’t stop there. Just days later, Bueckers brought the trophy with her to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where she surprised host Jimmy Fallon in the middle of his monologue. Fallon had just joked about never getting to hold a championship trophy when Bueckers strolled out with it in hand. The audience erupted. Fallon lit up and asked, “May I?” before proudly holding it up to cheers. It was one of those surreal, joyful TV moments that instantly went viral.

On the show, Bueckers reflected on the emotional road that led to the title. “It was a journey of resilience, of overcoming adversity. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. She even embraced a viral fan theory that UConn’s success came from “the power of friendship.” With a smile, she confirmed, “It’s so accurate. That bond carried us.”

Hailey Van Lith: March Madness And Swimsuit Cover Star

Hailey Van Lith made history in a way no other college player has. She’s the first ever, across all of NCAA basketball, to appear in five straight Elite Eights. Her path took her through three schools: Louisville, LSU, and finally TCU, where she capped off her career as Big 12 Player of the Year. At TCU this season, she averaged 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Van Lith is an Olympic medalist too. Van Lith helped Team USA take home bronze in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Games, rounding out what’s already an impressive international career before she even plays a pro game.

Van Lith earned a reputation of delivering in March Madness, consistently rising to the moment when the pressure was highest. This spring, she added a new kind of spotlight to her résumé: cover model. She appears as the digital cover star for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in the April 2025 issue, presented by Batiste—her first feature in the iconic publication. She joins a short list of standout tournament stars to appear in the Swimsuit Edition, including former LSU star and current Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese in 2023, and former Stanford standout Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and now playing for the LA Sparks.

2024 March Madness Stars In The Spotlight

Caitlin Clark’s story is already legendary. After back-to-back NCAA championship appearances with Iowa in 2023 and 2024, and setting the all-time NCAA scoring record (with 3,951 career points), Clark surpassed Kelsey Plum (3,527 points) and Pete Maravich (3,667 points) to become the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history, both men’s and women’s.

Her impact hasn’t slowed down since college. Most recently, Clark sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, a Netflix series known for in-depth conversations with hand-picked guests. The episode was filmed at Ball State University and marked another major moment in her fast-rising professional life.

During their talk, Clark reflected on the whirlwind: “Getting to walk out here and people go crazy and are so excited about you, that’s pretty awesome. And it’s cool to see people wearing my jersey.” That humility is part of what’s helped her connect with fans—not just in Iowa or Indiana, but across the country.

Back in January, former LSU star and current Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese made history as the first professional basketball player to appear solo on the cover of American Vogue. Reese first captured national attention by leading LSU to a national championship in 2023, then helped take the Tigers to the Elite Eight in 2024 before falling to Iowa. With a social media following of over 5 million across platforms, she’s

become one of the most recognizable faces in the game.

In that same month, Reese was also featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, where she brought her signature confidence and authenticity to the set. “I am a queen, I am confident, I am strong,” she declared. “I am who I am.” Her ability to embrace her true self—both on and off the court—is powerful, and a message that continues to resonate with fans everywhere. It’s the kind of energy that inspires others to do the same.

WNBA Draft Day And Beyond

All eyes now turn to the WNBA Draft on April 14, where Bueckers and Van Lith are expected to be early picks. Both arrive with enormous fanbases, media savvy, and championship experience. They’re entering a league that’s growing rapidly in viewership, sponsorships, and cultural relevance.

What’s refreshing about this new era is how much personality, power, and presence these stars bring—on and off the court. They’re breaking records, winning championships, appearing on late-night TV, and landing magazine covers. They’re inspiring kids, engaging new fans, and making sure the excitement of March Madness doesn’t end when the final buzzer sounds. Basketball stardom doesn’t have just one look anymore, and that’s a win for everyone.