Copyright Essentially Sports
Fresh off her 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. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad 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. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad 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 is a developing story…
