I'm Caitlin Clark's Big Rival – I Know Why She's Truly Loved | Other | sport

Paige Bueckers shared her honest thoughts on Caitlin Clark's ever-growing popularity. Bueckers, 23, knows all about the Indiana Fever's quality on the court, having played numerous collegiate and international basketball matches with them.

Clark, 22, has become one of the most popular athletes in the United States and recently inked a notable £21.5 million ($28 million) deal with Nike. Bueckers may not be quite the same size as the Iowa native, but she's also made a splash in women's basketball.

Due to her position, her quality and the fact that she also has an imposing height of 1.80 m, she is generally considered to be Clark's closest competitor. While fans and US sports media try to build a rivalry between the two stars, Bueckers has nothing but respect and admiration for Clark.

In a recent interview, Bueckers said: “We have known each other for a very long time. We've been competing against each other and with each other for a very long time… I mean, Caitlin is a competitor, she's a winner. She is.” A great basketball player, everyone can see that.

“She does so much for the game. And she's the best scorer college basketball has ever seen. But I think she's so much more than just a goalscorer. I think the best thing about her is her competitive spirit and her fire, her passion, her joy in the game. Everyone loves to see it.

“She’s just a competitor. She wants to win. She only has intangible parts of the game. She knows how to play, a great IQ. I think the greatest thing about her is that she competes and is just a winner. She wants to win at all costs.”

While Clark boasts two Naismith Player of the Year titles, Bueckers made history by becoming the first freshman to win the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year and USBWA Player of the Year in 2021.

Next year, Buecker will be drafted into the WNBA, where she will face Clark. The WNBA Draft in April 2025 will determine which team she will join.

When asked about Bueckers, Clark previously said, “I think the coolest thing about Paige is how resilient she is. She's obviously been dealt a tough hand and has nothing but positive things to say about her teammates. And the way she performs.” Nothing has changed about herself on and off the field and the way she works hard.

“Since I've known her, since she was in middle school, she's always worked the same way, always had the fire and been a leader. I honestly couldn't be happier for her for the year she's had and the way she's led this team back to the Final Four when it's been dealt a difficult hand as a program.

“Her playing is just so smooth that it’s fun to watch. She moves effortlessly out there, as if it were natural. It's easy for her, but that's always been her game for as long as I've known her. She’s just very naturally gifted.” And then she works really hard on top of that and that’s a great recipe for success.”