Paige Bueckers had high praise for the WNBA and Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark as she prepares to turn professional next April following her final season at UConn.
Bueckers, 23, is widely expected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, following on from Clark, who set the league alight in her rookie campaign. Clark set several rookie records on her way to winning the Rookie of the Year award and WNBA All-Star selection.
The 22-year-old helped the Fever reach the postseason after missing the playoffs for seven straight campaigns. But Clarks influence has stretched beyond the basketball court. Clark entered the WNBA a superstar from her record-breaking time with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she etched her name into the history books by becoming the all-time NCAA points scorer. The WNBA has more eyes on it than ever before.
Caitlin brought so much new attention to the rise of womens college basketball and the WNBA and womens sports in general, Bueckers said, according to the Bellingham Herald. I feel like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. And she just has this heavy burden to carry and she does it with grace and humility.
Bueckers is back healthy for the 2023-24 season after only playing 17 games between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns. In three games, the guard is averaging 21.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals. Bueckers is widely seen as Clarks successor as the Princess of NCAA basketball.
Bueckers will likely end up in Dallas with the Wings after the franchise won the first-overall pick for 2025 in the WNBA Draft lottery. Dallas won the first pick despite the Los Angeles Sparks having the best odds. The Wings winning the best shot at landing Bueckers made new General Manager Curt Miller very happy. Miller departed the Sparks at the end of the 2024 season, leaving a vacant head coaching role. He took his moment to gloat in the sun.
Bueckers will join Clark in the WNBA next year (
Getty)
Lets Go! Miller wrote on X, accompanied by a GIF of Matt Damons iconic How do you like them apples? scene in Good Will Hunting in a potential trolling of his former employers. After taking the job, Miller expressed his excitement of working with a talented squad, which could further be boosted by NCAA superstar Bueckers.
I am excited to join the Dallas Wings as the new Executive Vice President and General Manager, said Miller. Id like to thank Greg Bibb, Bill Cameron and the rest of the partners for this incredible opportunity. The potential of the Dallas Wings is immeasurable.
With a new arena and practice facility on the horizon, a talented roster which is impactful both on the court and in the community, exciting positioning in the upcoming draft, a passionate and loyal fanbase, a fully invested ownership group, and a dedicated front office staff, now is the time for the Wings. As a veteran head coach and GM in the WNBA, Im looking forward to bringing my experience, passion, and leadership to Texas while we strive to hang a WNBA Championship Banner in Dallas.