Paige Bueckers is expected to be the top overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, and fans have been awaiting her arrival to the league since she broke onto the scene during her freshman season at UConn. However, some Caitlin Clark fans are wondering whether or not Bueckers will receive as much hate as Clark does once she becomes a pro.
Paige Bueckers has friendships with WNBA players who have followed her career since she arrived at UConn, but Caitlin Clark’s popularity was built throughout her time at Iowa, where she grew into one of the brightest stars in the women’s basketball world. When it comes to how Bueckers will be received as a pro, fans were divided.
Bueckers was featured alongside WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Sydney Colson in a new commercial that got fans thinking about the hurdles that Bueckers will have to clear as she gets acclimated to the WNBA.
Fans have hinted that because she has been included in advertisements alongside WNBA pros before even joining the league, Paige Bueckers won’t face as much negativity from fans and even other WNBA players as Clark does. One fan went as far as to mention that Bueckers is getting more special treatment than Clark did with how the WNBA is choosing to take advantage of her popularity.
“The Uconn angle is the main difference between em.. Paige won’t have half the BS to worry deal with Clark did,” commented one fan.
“Only thing Paige needs to do really is just hope,” said another. The real hatred the real shade and envy ones that’s still going to be directed at Caitlin Clark that’s not going to change for a long time. So Clark being in the league Shields paige from getting no as much unnecessary hate.”
Both players will have their careers endlessly compared to one another’s as they try to find success in the WNBA, but the difference between their paths to get their and how the basketball world views them is stark. While Paige Bueckers might have to endure some ribbing from her future peers, it is unlikely to be anything like what Clark has been around since joining the league.
Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark present two different versions of stardom
Caitlin Clark has carried herself with confidence throughout her basketball career, but the WNBA has latched onto her and put her on a pedastal far higher than she ever could have done herself. Her overwhelming popularity has triggered spiteful comments from some players around the league who accuse her of receiving special treatment, including Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
“The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person,” said Reese about Clark’s popularity. “It’s about me too, and I want y’all to realize that.”
Reese and Clark have history that goes back to their college days, but other WNBA players have expressed envy that Caitlin Clark has received so much credit for popularizing the women’s game. Paige Bueckers, on the other hand, isn’t expected to receive as much hate because of where she comes from. Bueckers is another player in the long line of WNBA stars to come from UConn.
Paige Bueckers isn’t as popular as Clark around the country, but she is more likely to have more solid relationships with players around the league because she will have the support of her fellow Huskies that are spread out throughout the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark fans brought up a good point though; Clark’s superstardom will be the focus of a majority of the ire shown to young stars who steal attention from veterans who feel like they deserve their flowers for helping to grow the game as well.
alt=”Zachary Howell” height=”72″ width=”72″>
Edited by Zachary Howell
