Draft night is supposed to be a celebration, especially when you’re the No. 1 pick coming off a national championship. But for Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers, her big moment got hijacked by none other than former Fox analyst Skip Bayless.
Instead of simply showing love, the notorious hot-take machine threw shade her way by forcing an unfair comparison to Caitlin Clark. Well, the fans wasted no time calling him out.
Skip Bayless Starts Firestorm With Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers Take
After the Dallas Wings selected University of Connecticut guard Bueckers with the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, excitement shot through the roof in Big D.
A team that finished 9-31 last season just landed a game-changer, a walking bucket, a certified leader. Fans were hyped, social media was buzzing, and the WNBA officially had another face of the future.
Enter Skip Bayless, never one to let a good moment breathe. On his X account, Bayless dropped his unsolicited take just moments after Bueckers’ name was called.
“Paige Bueckers is more athletic and a better midrange jump shooter than Caitlin Clark,” he posted. Okay, fine. Fair analysis, maybe. But he didn’t stop there. “But she doesn’t have Caitlin’s ‘It’ factor, basketball charisma, and aura. Nobody does. Caitlin is ‘Her.'”
Paige Bueckers is more athletic and a better midrange jump shooter than Caitlin Clark. But she doesn’t have Caitlin’s “It” factor, basketball charisma and aura. Nobody does. Caitlin is “Her.”
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 14, 2025
Fans were not feeling the energy, especially on a night meant to honor Bueckers and every woman walking into their WNBA dream. Twitter/X lit up in frustration.
Award-winning sports broadcaster Shane Sparks replied, “Really Skip? Can’t you just say congratulations and be done with it? Tonight is about Paige and the other women being drafted.”
Really Skip? Can’t you just say congratulations and be done with it? Tonight is about Paige and the other women being drafted. It is their night to be celebrated.
— Shane Sparks (@ShaneSparksBTN) April 15, 2025
And the reactions followed — “Paige just got picked #1 in the WNBA draft like an hour ago let’s let her enjoy it for a bit.”
Paige just got picked #1 in the WNBA draft like an hour ago let’s let her enjoy it for a bit.
— Jason Ryan (@jasonryanmd) April 15, 2025
Let’s just say no one was surprised by his take: “Can’t ever just show some support or say congratulations.. everything has to be so hateful with you guy 😂.”
Can't ever just show some support or say congratulations.. everything has to be so hateful with you guy 😂
— nate (@nate_monigold28) April 15, 2025
Not the first time Bayless gave an unpopular opinion, right?
Bueckers’ Game Shines Through the Rant
This wasn’t just about Bayless being Bayless — it was about the tired narrative that every female athlete must immediately be ranked, pitted, and compared, even in her most joyful moment. Fans were quick to remind the internet that Bueckers has her own résumé.
An NCAA champion, three-time first-team All-American, national player of the year, and now the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft — she doesn’t need to be “the next Caitlin Clark.” She’s Paige Bueckers.
The vibe online quickly turned celebratory. With fans sharing highlights, orange carpet pics, and quotes from her post-draft presser. And that’s the point. Bueckers and Clark are both stars. Both faces of the new W. And the league needs them both.