Caitlin Clark has heard the comparisons. And now, with the Indiana Fever set to face the Dallas Wings on June 27, the noise is only getting louder.
Paige Bueckers is the new No. 1 pick. Clark’s already making headlines in her own right. But when it comes to pitting one against the other, the Fever star isn’t here for the drama—and she’s got some career-shaping advice for Bueckers, too.
Caitlin Clark Gets Real About the Media Buzz
Clark isn’t buying into the hype. Asked about all the Bueckers talk in a recent Bustle interview, the Fever guard kept it real: “The media is always going to do that,” she said. “There’s always going to be comparisons.”
Clark’s message? Let people talk. What matters is what happens between the lines—not the clicks, not the chatter, not the viral takes.
“You just [have to] believe in yourself, believe in your abilities, and have confidence in what you’re going to do,” Clark said. “It’s never about comparing [yourself] to somebody before you or somebody that will come after you. At the end of the day, it’s [about] how you are going to help your team? How are you going to help yourself get better?”
And that hits hard coming from someone already top 10 in the WNBA in multiple categories. Clark’s not just talking. She’s walking it. Lifting a rebuilding Indiana team. Taking the spotlight. Taking the hits. And still rising.
The Angel Reese Rivalry Simmers, But Clark Keeps Eyes on the Ball
She’s still got some edge, too.
In her latest matchup with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, things boiled over. Late in the third quarter, Clark was hit with a flagrant after fouling Reese hard across the arms. Reese went down, popped right back up, and let Clark hear about it before the refs stepped in.
Caitlin Clark received a flagrant foul on this play.
Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese received offsetting technical fouls. pic.twitter.com/jzQYEW92TW
— ESPN (@espn)
The incident quickly became the league’s biggest story, with the WNBA investigating whether hateful comments were made by fans at and around the time of Clark’s hard foul.
Their rivalry is still alive and loud. From college battles to WNBA clashes, the tension hasn’t cooled. But Clark isn’t out for drama. She’s here to win.
MORE: Clark Breaks Silence on WNBA Investigation
And when she speaks to Bueckers, it comes from the grind. From being a No. 1 pick. From missing shots, taking criticism, facing pressure—and coming right back with a step-back three.
Dallas may have its future. But Indiana already has its franchise.