Fresh off her historic rookie season, WNBA star Paige Bueckers is set to make a major move from the basketball court to the big screen. Apple Original Films has made the decision to cast the athlete in a leading role for an upcoming feature film, signaling a new chapter in her rapidly growing career.

The film is titled Jess & Pearl and is a sports drama currently in development. The project is based on an original idea by Zahir McGhee, a writer known for his work on the hit TV series Scandal. The story will be set within the world of women’s basketball, a familiar environment for the rookie star.

The plot will follow two phenomenal players who form a powerful bond as teammates. Their friendship faces serious challenges from fame, intense competition, and the tough business side of college athletics. These pressures threaten to turn their close partnership into a major rivalry.

Producer David Bernad will oversee the movie through his Middle Child Pictures banner. Bernad is known for producing the Emmy-nominated series The White Lotus. Wasserman’s Lindsay Kagawa Colas and Tommy Alter will also produce the project alongside him. Bueckers is set to serve as an executive producer for the film.

Paige Bueckers is coming off an incredible year where she led the UConn Huskies to the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. She was then selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings. Her professional debut was highlighted by winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award and earning a spot on the 2025 TIME100 Next list.

Writer Zahir McGhee spent six seasons on Scandal, eventually rising to co-executive producer. He later created and served as showrunner for the ABC series Queens. His other writing credits include Private Practice, Stumptown, and For the People. This film project adds a major feature film to his growing list of credits.

This comes at a time when Angel is making headlines too, about which let’s discuss further.

Angel Reese Teases ‘Really Big’ Project With Paige Bueckers

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has set social media abuzz with a tease about an upcoming collaboration with Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers. The two WNBA stars, who have been friends since their top-ranked high school days, hinted that a joint project is in the works for the offseason.

During a recent TikTok Live session, Reese directly addressed questions from her fans about her relationship with Bueckers. She revealed that the two athletes have been planning something significant together. “Me and Paige [Bueckers] actually have something really big coming up together,” Reese told her viewers. “Stay tuned.”

The nature of the collaboration remains undisclosed. Both players have expanded their profiles beyond basketball through various ventures. Bueckers has recently starred in movie trailers, while Reese has appeared in fashion shows and hosts her own podcast. This history of off-court projects fuels speculation about their upcoming announcement.

Reese has previously spoken about her long-standing connection with Bueckers, noting they were the top two players in their recruiting class. Their friendship has continued into their professional careers despite playing for different teams. Fans will now be watching closely for what both stars describe as a “really big” reveal.