In their first WNBA match-up, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers didn't fail to put on a show. Bueckers and the Dallas Wings fell short to the Indiana Fever 102-83. Her performance against Clark didn't go unnoticed as she outscored her 21 to 14. Fever head coach Stephanie White had nothing but praise for Bueckers' performance against her team. So far, she hasn't played much like a rookie.
Overlooking her team's overall poor performance, Bueckers has set herself up to be one of the most successful rookies the WNBA has ever seen. Both her and Clark's numbers in their first year are very similar and both wasted no time coming into the league breaking several rookie records.
"She just always stays neutral. She doesn't get rushed. Her pace, her poise, her decision making, she just is a very neutral mindset," coach White said.
Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark continue to set their mark
The list of records Clark broke in her rookie year is a laundry list and Bueckers finds herself on the exact same track. Coming into the WNBA and breaking records isn't the overall goal of a rookie, but she quickly found her way in the league. She plays with confidence and doesn't second-guess herself. While Bueckers doesn't have the supporting cast around her as Clark does, her fierce competitiveness is contagious.
Bueckers will undoubtedly have a successful career on her own, but can have championship aspirations if in the right system with the right players around her. Development for her and Clark is very similar. Both come from Midwest roots and finished successful collegiate careers winning numerous championships.
Unlike the NBA, the WNBA requires any American player coming into the league to have completed four years at the college level. The goal of this is to allow players a chance to really develop, something Bueckers has so far not shown any lack of range in. She has been flawless in her adjustment from UConn to the pros and has shown quick maturation - another area Coach White has been impressed with.
"I mean that's the difference between good players and great players, right?" "I don't know how many games in, right? So it's just, it's fun to watch. Not as an opponent on the other sideline, but for a lot of young players that come into this league, there's a learning curve. And how quickly they figure it out is always interesting to see. And for Paige, she's figuring it out," Coach White added.
Bueckers has continue to grow the game herself and bring in several new spectators, much like Clark did. Both are the new young stars of the league a hope to continue to maintain the fresh new flow in the WNBA.