WNBA superstars Caitlin Clark (left) and Paige Bueckers (right). Photo credits: Imagn

'She Wasn’t Known': Caitlin Clark’s Rise Linked To Paige Bueckers’ Setback As Dwyane Wade Makes Bold Claim

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 12:41 PM ET

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had one thing to thank for when it came to her rise to popularity, and that was Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers. At least, this is what one former NBA star thinks of the deeper story behind Clark’s rise to fame.

Caitlin Clark rose to popularity during her days with the Iowa Hawkeyes, only because then-UConn star Paige Bueckers got injured, which led to her being sidelined. At least, this is what former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade thinks of the matter.

In a recent podcast interview, the Heat legend said that Clark’s rise in popularity was paved by Bueckers getting sidelined back then. While he credited Clark for being a good player ever since, he highlighted how she has remained behind the spotlight for a long time.

“The ACL injury in college opened up the window for Caitlin Clark,” Wade said. “Now, Caitlin has always been a good player, but she wasn’t known. Paige had these injuries, and then Caitlin had these amazing two years in college.”

Paige Bueckers sustained an ACL injury in 2022, which forced her to miss the entirety of the 2022-2023 season with UConn. At the time of Bueckers’ December 2021 setback, Caitlin Clark was in the midst of her sophomore year at the University of Iowa; by the summer of 2022—when Bueckers tore her ACL—Clark was preparing for her junior season. Their college careers overlapped precisely, but while Clark remained on the court, Bueckers spent those pivotal months in rehabilitation.

Caitlin Clark Turned Down $15M Offer to Leave WNBA, Report Claims

Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, opted to reject a reported $15 million proposal from The Big3, the three-on-three basketball league founded by Ice Cube, a recent report claimed.

Initial whispers pegged the offer at $5 million, but league representatives confirmed on the TFU Podcast that the final bid for a 10-week stint stood at $15 million. Instead of chasing a short-term payday, Clark has chosen to dedicate herself exclusively to her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever.

Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston (7), Caitlin Clark (22) and Kelsey Mitchell (0) take a phot before the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Since joining the Fever, Clark inked a four-year rookie contract worth $338,056 and secured an eight-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Nike. As the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time first-team All-American, she has leveraged her collegiate success into both on-court opportunities and significant off-court partnerships.

Now in her second season, Caitlin Clark has been sidelined since late July after sustaining a leg injury, forcing her to sit out Indiana’s recent matchups. So far, Clark averages 16.5 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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