NFL reporter Colleen Wolfe believes Paige Bueckers deserves the same recognition as Caitlin Clark after the Dallas Wings star didn’t make TIME Magazine’s 2026 100 most influential athletes list. Wolfe made the case that Bueckers is in the conversation of being the face of the WNBA, citing her weekly jersey sales and on-court prowess.
Here’s what the NFL media personality said while appearing as a co-panelist on ESPNW’s “Women’s Sports Now” show:
“I’m looking it over, there’s all of these powerhouses on the list and when I think of someone who is an absolute superstar right now, I think of Paige Bueckers, too. … As much as Caitlin Clark is the face of the league, Paige Bueckers is also right there with her. She’s top five in jersey sales every single week. Wearing somebody else’s name on your body, that’s gotta be influential, I mean that’s how I consider influential.”
On a lighter note, Wolfe also praised Bueckers for coming out with a “hyper exclusive” Gatorade flavor.
Bueckers indeed has been a superstar on the court. Like Clark, she’s attracted many viewers to the WNBA and has a strong fan following. Bueckers has 3 million followers on Instagram alone, which is 700,000 fewer than Clark.
In jersey sales, Clark outranks everyone but Steph Curry among NBA and WNBA players. Bueckers ranks second behind Clark among WNBA players. On May 30, Bueckers’ debut night WNBA jersey was auctioned for a record price of $64,720.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers record 30-point nights in Thursday’s games
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers lived up to their expectations as the faces of the WNBA on Thursday. Both All-Stars recorded 30-plus points each. Clark tallied 32 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field and 15 of 15 from the free throw line in the Indiana Fever’s 114-106 overtime win over the Chicago Sky. She extended her records for most 30-point, 10-assist and 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history.
On the other hand, Bueckers led the Wings to an 85-70 win over the Phoenix Mercury, tallying 31 points, six rebounds and five assists, shooting 70.0% from the field. She became the fourth player to record multiple 25-point games while shooting at least 70.0% from the field.
For the season, Clark is averaging 19.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 8.1 assists (league-high), shooting 39.0% from the field, 32.1% from three-point range and 92.1% from the free-throw line. Bueckers is averaging 19.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 5.8 apg. She’s shooting 52.3% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
Read more:
- 7x NBA Champ Urges Caitlin Clark To Follow Shaquille O’Neal Blueprint For Surviving WNBA Physicality
- After Caitlin Clark’s Technical Foul, Stephanie White Gets in Trouble with Refs While Protesting Call on Aliyah Boston
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
