With just four days until the 2025 WNBA Draft, all eyes are on UConn Huskies superstar Paige Bueckers—and rightfully so. Fresh off leading the Huskies to a national title, Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, but the buzz surrounding her game has gone beyond the usual scouting chatter.
As the comparisons to last year’s top pick, Caitlin Clark, heat up, WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo is offering a more nuanced take that explains what sets these two stars apart.
Rebecca Lobo Unpacks Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark Conversation
Bueckers has been the heartbeat of UConn’s latest championship run, putting up insane numbers and leading from the front. Her NCAA tournament stat line this season? 20.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, all while shooting 53.9% from the field—incredible efficiency for a high-usage guard.
She dropped 30+ points in three straight tournament games, set a program record with 40 points in the Sweet 16, and capped it all off by becoming UConn’s all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament play with 477 points.
Given her dominance, it’s no surprise that comparisons to WNBA superstar Clark have resurfaced. However, during an April 10 media session, Lobo broke down how different the two guards are rather than blending them into one narrative.
“Caitlin and Paige are very different players… the range on her shot, the way they play are very different, but their impact is significant,” Lobo said via Moreau Sports Media Production Co.
She pointed out that Clark is known for her deep shooting range and flashy playmaking, while Bueckers plays a more controlled, surgical brand of basketball—just as practical but not as flashy. Lobo also discussed how Bueckers’ WNBA transition could look when paired with veterans like Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.
“Can you throw that similar defense stuff at [Paige] when she has Arike Ogunbowale alongside her… it’ll be interesting to see how quickly Paige’s game translates,” she added.
Lobo wrapped her analysis by calling Bueckers a “special talent” and backed her to find immediate success in the pros, echoing many’s belief about Clark one year ago.
“Much like last year when we thought Caitlin Clark’s game would translate, I think Paige’s game will translate… I expect a similar efficiency from her at the pro level.”
Dallas Wings on the Clock as Bueckers Era Begins
The Wings hold the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which looks like a no-brainer. Bueckers, who ended the tournament with 17 points in the national title game against South Carolina, has shown she can rise in big moments.
She’s expected to slot into a roster featuring stars like Ogunbowale, raising excitement about how her high-IQ game and elite efficiency will mesh at the next level.
Only two players—Clark (491 points) and Chamique Holdsclaw (479) have scored more than Bueckers in NCAA tournament history. But with her polished game and track record of winning, Bueckers isn’t chasing anyone. She’s carving her lane, and Lobo believes the league should be ready for it.