Man accused of harassing and stalking UConn star Paige Bueckers: Report

An Oregon man who was arrested on Friday on charges of harassment and stalking of UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers appeared in the Connecticut Superior Court on Monday, according to ESPN. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

According to the report, 40-year-old Robert Cole Parmalee was arrested by the University of Connecticut Police. Parmalee, who was also charged with electronic stalking and breach of peace, began contacting Bueckers in February, sending videos to her on Instagram.

Bueckers, UConn coach Geno Auriemma and all other members of the women’s basketball team will not comment on the matter, a UConn athletics spokesperson said.

The UConn communications department became aware of Parmalee in June after receiving emails that claimed he was a member of the royal family and wanted to marry a UConn women’s basketball player, according to ESPN.

Parmalee was previously arrested on Aug. 27 by the Connecticut State Police after he was spotted walking along a highway near Bradley International Airport, the closest commercial airport near UConn’s campus. When he was picked up by police, he told them he was going to see Bueckers. At the time, per ESPN, he had an outstanding warrant in Oregon. He was being held at the Hartford Correctional Center on Friday when the UConn Police Department served its arrest warrant.

Parmalee’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the Connecticut Superior Court in Rockville, Conn.

Bueckers is an All-American who was the first freshman to ever become the Naismith National Player of the Year. The 2024-25 season is expected to be her last at UConn, and she’s the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

(Photo of Paige Bueckers: Joe Buglewicz / Getty Images)