Audio By Carbonatix
Paige Bueckers is currently out-performing Caitlin Clark as a rookie in the WNBA. However, the way she is treated as the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year presents a stark contrast to the reigning Rookie of the Year.
That notion is true both in good and in bad.
Let’s start with the good. Bueckers became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 200 points and 50 assists. The 23-year-old averaged 18.2 points and 5.9 assists per game over the first 11 games of her career. She reached 200/50 faster than Cynthia Cooper, Tamika Catchings, Andrea Stinson and Clark.
And yet, you likely heard very little or absolutely nothing about the impressive marks. This article might even be the first time you are learning this!
We were force-fed every single one of these little “records” during Caitlin Clark’s rookie season in 2024. It was all over SportsCenter. It was all over social media. Her fans would not let you forget. The media made sure you were aware of her every move.
All of those same people are very quick to move on from Paige Bueckers’ 200th point and 50th assist if they even addressed it in the first place.
I initially attributed some of the disparity in coverage to the Dallas Wings being horrible. We, as a society, care less about losers than winners. However, the Chicago Sky was just as awful last season and we knew everything there is to know about Angel Reese and her various rookie “records.”
Why is that? Bueckers is out-pacing Clark and Reese but there is a lot less buzz. There are levels to stardom, I guess. It further proves just how important Clark is to the league.
Paige Bueckers is also treated differently than Caitlin Clark on the court.
This side of the conversation actually plays in the most recent No. 1 overall pick’s favor. Not only is she subject to a lot less physicality, she is not treated as a villain. Players in the WNBA don’t have the same chip on their shoulder with Bueckers as they do Clark.
Caitlin Clark got absolutely rocked by Marina Mabrey after a heated altercation with Jacy Sheldon last week, which led Sophie Cunningham to settle the score not long thereafter. A massive brawl proceeded to unfold. We all saw it!
Paige Bueckers faced the Connecticut Sun just a few days later and she was called for the first technical foul of her career. The first two players to come to her defense? Sheldon and Mabrey…
Hm. Quite the contrast.
The same two players who were actively out to spar with Clark were sympathetic and supportive toward Beuckers’ first technical foul. What gives?