While not everyone agrees that Caitlin Clark merits this kind of recognition for her first-season accomplishments, Page Bueckers is considering the bigger picture.
Although the star of the Indiana Fever had a difficult time adjusting to life in the professional women’s basketball league, it appears that she is now a member of the tea
Caitlin Clark scuffles with the Phoenix Mercury and turns back on her teammates for the Fever.Parker Johnson
In her rookie campaign, the 22-year-old has averaged 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while making 34.6 percent of her 3-pointers. These are respectable stats for her squad.
However, UConn guard Bueckers, a former competitor of Clark’s in college, believes that her allure has attracted thousands of new spectators to the game, which is good news for the WNBA.
“We are grateful that Caitlin has opened so many new eyes to the game,” Bueckers told reporters on Friday. “When people tune in to watch her, they leave the game fans of so many more.”
She’s attracted to more than simply Clark. The No. 7 overall pick, Angel Reese, has flourished at Chicago Sky, and in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Cameron Brink and Kamilla Cardoso also made significant moves.
According to Bueckers, “It’s just a high level of basketball.” “I believe that many new viewers are taking notice and are struck by the artistry and athleticism of the performance. The league has acted somewhat in such manner.”
Rivalry between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark
Given her performance in the NCAA with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark has established herself as a strong candidate to win Rookie of the Year and is a likely All-Star.
The 22-year-old broke Kelsey Plum’s record to become the all-time leading scorer in college basketball.
Along with Reese, Brink, and Cardoso, she was in the same class as Bueckers in 2020. The Huskies guard was the best player to graduate from high school that year.