Caitlin Clark has emerged as the most popular female basketball player in the WNBA, significantly boosting the league‘s attendance and viewership during her rookie year in 2024. This surge in popularity and influence set a high bar for new players like Paige Bueckers, the 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick for the Dallas Wings, who some see as a future star but unlikely to reach Clark’s level of fame or economic impact.
Clark’s Record-Breaking Impact on the WNBA
In 2024, Caitlin Clark’s presence led the WNBA to its most-watched regular season in nearly a quarter-century, with attendance figures climbing to their highest in more than two decades. The Indiana Fever set a new single-season home attendance record of 340,715 fans, surpassing the New York Liberty’s previous mark of 250,565. Clark’s ability to attract large crowds and engage viewers has dramatically raised the profile of the league, making it difficult for anyone else to eclipse her popularity.
Comparing Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark’s Career Trajectories
Although Paige Bueckers is viewed by many as a promising talent who might challenge Clark’s prominence, Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd does not foresee Bueckers matching Clark in terms of widespread popularity or cultural impact. He pointed out Clark’s unique playing style, especially her ability to shoot from extraordinary range, as a factor that sets her apart.
Paige Bueckers will probably never be quite as popular as (Clark) because of her route and because Caitlin Clark also has a unique game where she’s shooting from 38 feet,
—Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports Host
Despite this, Cowherd remains optimistic about Bueckers’ basketball potential. He believes she has the chance to become the best overall player in the league, even if her fame might not match Clark’s. According to Cowherd, Bueckers excels as a pure scorer, although Clark is the more skilled playmaker.
Paige Bueckers, she’ll become the best player in the league for sure,
—Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports Host
She’s not the playmaker of Caitlin Clark, but she’s a better pure scorer.
—Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports Host
Caitlin Clark’s more of a comet, but if you’re talking about who’s the better player, there’s an argument Paige Bueckers will be the better player.
—Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports Host
Looking Ahead to the Future of the WNBA
The debate between Caitlin Clark’s towering popularity and Paige Bueckers’ potential for basketball excellence highlights the evolving dynamics within the WNBA. Clark’s extraordinary fan appeal has raised the league’s visibility to new heights, but Bueckers’ pure scoring ability positions her as a strong contender for the title of best player in the league. As both athletes continue to develop their careers, their contrasting strengths will shape conversations around star power and player impact in women’s professional basketball.