Paige Bueckers has officially arrived in the WNBA, but her smooth transition into the league is sparking conversations beyond her basketball potential.
National analyst Rachel DeMita recently addressed what she sees as a double standard, comparing the media’s warm reception of Bueckers to the relentless scrutiny faced by Caitlin Clark just one year earlier.
Referencing an article by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, DeMita noted on her Courtside Club podcast that coverage surrounding Bueckers has been far more forgiving.
“With Paige, I feel like there hasn’t been so many comparisons or worries about her going to the WNBA,” DeMita said. “She clearly doesn’t have as many haters as Caitlin Clark did or does.”
Clark faced resistance Bueckers has not
Clark‘s entry into the league was met with doubts about whether her college dominance would translate professionally. “So many reporters, media personalities, coaches, players were saying Caitlin Clark‘s game would not translate to the WNBA,” DeMita added. In contrast, few have questioned Bueckers’ ability to adapt, despite facing fewer offensive responsibilities at UConn than Clark had at Iowa.
While Clark carried an Iowa team without five-star recruits to national prominence, Bueckers played alongside elite talent like Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, often within a system that emphasized ball movement.
Still, Bueckers proved capable of taking over when needed, with back-to-back NCAA Tournament performances of 34 and 40 points during her senior season.
In terms of efficiency, Bueckers holds a strong case. Her .628 true shooting percentage as a senior ranks among the best in recent WNBA draft history, trailing only Kelsey Plum and legendary UConn stars like Sue Bird. Her playstyle and skillset, particularly in pick-and-roll offense, align well with the system likely to be implemented by new Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclanes, a former assistant under Curt Miller.
Clark, meanwhile, had to overcome a difficult start in Indiana, where her arrival drew hostility from opponents and physical targeting, as seen in incidents with Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese. Despite the resistance, she surged after the Olympic break, averaging 23.1 points and 8.9 assists, earning All-WNBA First Team honors and leading the Fever to their first postseason in nearly a decade.
The narratives, DeMita argues, say more about the bias than the talent. “It’s sad that there’s so much more pushback for someone like Caitlin Clark,” she noted.
As the Wings prepare for their season opener on May 17, the conversation around Paige Bueckers’ impact-and how it compares to Clark‘s journey-will only intensify.
What’s clear is that Bueckers has the tools to succeed. But whether she will face the same resistance remains to be seen.
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