Paige Bueckers gets 100% real on Caitlin Clark rivalry

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark have become two of the biggest breakout stars in the WNBA since entering the league. The two were first overall picks in back-to-back years, so it should come as no surprise that they get compared to and pitted against one another constantly. However, Bueckers took the chance to clear the air while appearing on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast on Tuesday, letting the public know that the “rivalry” between them is more of a media creation than a reality.

“It’s crazy ’cause like everybody’s pinned me and Caitlyn against each other for the longest time and we’re cool, like we’re friends,” Bueckers said. “But again, it’s respect for the competition, so we understand how the media works and how they want to pin two people against each other, and they’re supposed to hate each other.”

Bueckers and Clark also share a history as opponents in their college days. The two went head-to-head when UConn and Iowa competed in the 2024 NCAA Final Four. The contest became the most-watched women’s basketball game in history, as 14.2 million viewers tuned in to see Clark’s Iowa squad top Bueckers’ UConn 71-69.