When a college basketball star transitions to the WNBA, the spotlight is intense. Every move is dissected, and comparisons quickly follow.
Paige Bueckers, the highly anticipated rookie out of UConn, recently faced that test during a matchup with the Indiana Fever. What followed wasn’t just a game, it was a moment of mutual respect between two fierce competitors.
Sophie Cunningham, known for her gritty defense and unshakable loyalty to her teammates, especially rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, had nothing but praise for Bueckers.
On her podcast, Show Me Something, Cunningham spoke candidly about facing the Wings’ young guard. “I love her,” she said. “I just love her vibe and her energy. She’s a good freakin’ human and a great basketball player.”
That statement isn’t something Cunningham throws around lightly. Known for her intense style of play and fierce protection of her teammates, her admiration for Bueckers caught fans’ attention.
Even more telling was her next comment: “She’s a helluva player, and she plays the right way. I would love to play with her at some point in my career.” Coming from someone as competitive and team-oriented as Cunningham, that’s high praise.
A moment of honesty
During the Fever’s clash with the Dallas Wings, Bueckers proved she was more than just hype. She dropped 22 points in a tough 88-78 loss, with one second-half play standing out.
Cunningham recalled the highlight on her podcast: “She went left, I cut her off, and she did a step-through and banked it.” The move brought the Dallas crowd to life, and drew loud boos for Cunningham, which she embraced. “That’s a good boo,” she laughed.
But the most telling moment came seconds later. While jogging back on defense, Bueckers leaned over to Cunningham and said, “Hey, I travelled on that last one.” It was a subtle but meaningful exchange, a rare moment of honesty in a highly competitive environment. Cunningham appreciated the transparency, and the mutual respect between the two guards only deepened from there.
The Fever weren’t at full strength that night, but the game delivered something arguably more important than a win: the beginning of a connection between two of the WNBA’s fiercest competitors. For Cunningham, who has publicly defended Caitlin Clark and called out critics of her teammate, to express admiration for Bueckers says a lot.
As the WNBA continues to grow and younger stars step into the spotlight, moments like these remind us that the league is built on competition, but also camaraderie. And maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of a future duo fans would love to see.
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