Caitlin Clark fans question Paige Bueckers’ validity as top pick after UConn loses to Hannah Hidalgo and Co – “Will not be a No 1 pick”
Caitlin Clark’s fans had a field day after Paige Bueckers No.2 UConn lost to Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame in Thursday’s marquee women’s college basketball showdown. Bueckers and the Huskies fell behind early, trailing by six in the first quarter. After trailing by 13 in the first half, UConn stormed back to make it a four-point game.
However, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles’ clutch play helped the Fighting Irish keep the lead intact down the stretch to secure a 79-68 win. Bueckers tallied 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, shooting 11 of 20.
However, after Bueckers and Co. failed to complete the comeback despite trailing only by four to start the final quarter, Clark’s fans questioned the UConn star’s validity as a projected No. 1 pick in next year’s draft. They cited the comparisons made to the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year.
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“Paige Beuckers is no Caitlin Clark and will not be a No 1 pick,” one fan wrote.
“Who is Caitlin Before Caitlin, Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins lost to Hannah of Notre Dame,” another said.
“Paige doesn’t have that dawg in her. She cannot for the life of her take over a game. How can she be Caitlin before Caitlin when she can’t show up when the light are the brightest,” one fan added.
Former NBA 6MOTY winner snubs Caitlin Clark as face of the WNBA
While Caitlin Clark’s influence and impact on the sport continue to become more evident, a few still have doubts about the titles and labels that have been given to the Fever star. One of those is her value as the face of the WNBA.
Clark’s recognition in that context almost seems undeniable, but former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams thinks differently. He believes A’ja Wilson is the face of the league despite Clark being the most viewed player in 50 states.
“I still think [the title of face of the WNBA] belongs to A’ja Wilson … Her visibility has gone up. … [Caitlin Clark] is one of the young up-and-coming stars, but I think that still belongs to A’ja Wilson,” Williams said on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” show on Thursday.
Williams believes Wilson has done a “great job” of being the MVP and a champion. He acknowledged Clark’s influence and the eyeballs she’s drawn to the WNBA but doesn’t think it’s a sustainable situation as most new fans aren’t there for ‘basketball reasons.’
