The Dallas Wings star makes the rounds on the court, performing a specialized handshake with each teammate.
Some, particularly intricate, include dances or other movements that go well beyond the clasping of hands or a high-five. Other Wings players also have unique handshakes with their teammates, done before the huddle when starters are introduced.
“I think the handshakes kind of happened organically,” Bueckers told The Dallas Morning News. “Sometimes, they have a meaning. Sometimes, they’re just whatever we come up with that day.”
The handshake between Bueckers and guard Aziaha James features a series of hand slaps followed by intense rounds of rock paper scissors.
“We just started playing rock paper scissors all the time, and I would always win, so she would want to play more,” Bueckers said.
James said it doesn’t take her long to figure out the right handshake for her teammates, which they perform to perfection each game day. The guard said the repetition of doing the handshakes every day helps them stick.
Her handshake with center Li Yueru includes a series of hand slaps before the 6-7 Yueru lifts her up in the air.
“I try to do a handshake with the personality,” James said.
Bueckers admits it takes her some time to figure out the right handshake when new players join the team.
“I have to take a couple days because my creative juices aren’t flowing as much,” she said.