She wants to be the main attraction!

Paige Bueckers sports a cowboy hat gifted to her during an introductory press conference.LAPRESSE

Since Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the inevitable comparisons to Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark have continued to follow her. The two guards, both top recruits in the 2020 class, shared the college basketball spotlight before Clark left for the pros a year earlier.

Now, as Bueckers transitions to the WNBA, she’s making it clear-she’s focused on her own journey, not living in Clark’s shadow. In an interview with TIME, Bueckers acknowledged the media’s obsession with comparing her to Clark but stated that she no longer lets it bother her.

“That’s what everybody who watches basketball cares about. I used to be bothered by it. But I’ve done so much work on myself and my approach,” Bueckers said. While Clark shattered rookie records and became a ratings phenomenon, Bueckers wants to focus on her own development. “Caitlin’s a phenomenal player. We’re also completely different players,” she emphasized.

The Pressure of Expectations

Despite Bueckers’ efforts to separate herself from the conversation, fans and analysts will inevitably measure her success against Clark’s historic rookie campaign. Clark’s debut season saw franchise attendance records, skyrocketing merchandise sales, and unprecedented WNBA viewership-culminating in a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year win.

Many will expect Bueckers to have a similar impact in Dallas, even though their play styles differ significantly. However, Bueckers seems ready to embrace the pressure, saying, “Pitting the two most recent No. 1 draft picks against each other is good for the game.”

With the Dallas Wings, Bueckers steps into a team looking to elevate itself into WNBA title contention. While Clark has already left an undeniable mark on the league, Bueckers will have her chance to write her own story-on her terms.