Paige Bueckers just stepped onto the WNBA stage, and she’s already proving why she was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Her full-court assist against Seattle turned heads, reigniting debates about how she stacks up against Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in 2024.
While Clark dominated the scoring charts and became the face of women’s college basketball, Bueckers took a different approach, leading UConn with efficiency, defense, and a championship ring. But does that mean she had a better college run? Let’s dive in.
Who Is Better Between 2025 No. 1 Overall Pick Paige Bueckers and 2024 No. 1 Pick Caitlin Clark?
Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark have been compared for years, ever since they emerged as two of the most dominant players in the same recruiting class. Now, with both officially in the WNBA, the debate over who is better has reached new heights.
Their comparison dates back to their college days, where their rivalry was one of the biggest talking points in women’s basketball.
After UConn beat Syracuse in the 2024 NCAA tournament, UConn coach Geno Auriemma called Paige Bueckers “the best player in America.” At the same time, Caitlin Clark made headlines by becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball.
For that reason, many wondered if she might be the greatest women’s college player ever. Despite all the discussions, no definitive answer emerged about who was better—until the WNBA Drafts brought them head-to-head once again.
Despite all the discussions, no definitive answer emerged about who was better—until the WNBA Drafts brought them head-to-head once again. Clark became the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, selected by the Indiana Fever, while Bueckers followed as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, landing with the Dallas Wings.
With both of their WNBA careers now unfolding as top draft picks, the CBB community’s interest in this comparison has only intensified, and fans continue to search for a definitive answer to who is better.
Paige Bueckers tonight 🔥
• 19 points
• 8 assists
• 5 rebounds
• 2 steals
• 7/14 FG— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 20, 2025
Clark’s stats are amazing. She scored 3,951 points in college—the most in NCAA history. Her scoring skill and long-range shooting made her a rare offensive talent. She led Iowa to two national championship games in 2023 and 2024 but fell short both times.
Bueckers, on the other hand, is known for her smart shooting, excellent passing, and strong defense. She helped UConn win a national championship in her final season—something Clark didn’t achieve at Iowa. If you judge by championships, Paige has the edge.
But the equation is not that simple. Clark entered the WNBA in 2024 without delay, while Bueckers had to wait an extra year due to a major ACL injury that sidelined her for the entire 2022-23 college season. Because of this, she stayed at UConn for a fifth year, delaying her WNBA debut until 2025.
If that injury had never happened, then both of them would have been drafted at the same time in 2024, and by now, we might have already had the answer to who is better. Unfortunately, we have to wait one more WNBA season—this year—to truly determine the actual answer, since both are now competing at the professional level.
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Bueckers has already made history in her early games, delivering the longest assist of her WNBA career against Seattle, proving her ability to control the floor at the highest level. It’s a strong indicator of what’s to come from her, and fans are eagerly watching to see how this rivalry unfolds in the pro league.
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