WATCH: UConn star Paige Bueckers urges Caitlin Clark to attempt 3-pointer during WNBA All-Star Game

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Paige Buckers challenged Caitlin Clark in a friendly contest at the WNBA All-Star game | Image credits: @paigebueckers and @caitlinclark22/Instagram

Despite bringing their A-game against each other in NCAA basketball, Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark have maintained a closely-knit bond. The same was on display when Bueckers mounted a friendly challenge to Clark, hoping that the Indiana Fever rookie would eventually shake off her shooting rut.

As Clark approached the UConn guard during the WNBA vs Team USA All-Star game, Paige Bueckers provoked her to attempt a three from the left-side wing. Clark, who was having an off-night finding the net, echoed her struggles in a hilarious reaction.

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Even though Clark attempted a long ball in the ending minutes of the game, the result was no different from her previous 3-pointer attempts all night. Nevertheless, the interaction shed light on the camaraderie and friendly banter the two women’s basketball faces maintain even on the grandest stage of the competition.

Clark shot 0-7 from distance while converting two shots from inside the perimeter. However, she made WNBA history by being the first rookie to post 10 assists in an All-Star game.

Interestingly, Bueckers and Clark could have been on the same WNBA All-Star roster this year as they were the frontrunners for the top 2024 draft pick. However, as Clark transitioned to the big league, Bueckers returned to the Huskies for her last shot at an NCAA title.

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark have seen both sides of each other’s games

The most recent on-court interaction between Paige Bueckers and Clark dates back to April when the Iowa Hawkeyes faced the UConn Huskies in the Final Four. The two stars put on a dazzling outing in a closely contested 71-69 game. Bueckers posted 17 points, four rebounds and three assists as Clark’s 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists pushed the Hawkeyes to the final game.

However, during their earlier years in 2019, Bueckers and Clark donned the same jersey while playing for the national team. Playing in U19 FIBA World Cup,

Caitlin Clark averaged 5.3 points, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals under 15 minutes throughout the tournament while Bueckers grabbed the MVP honor behind 11.6 points, 5.4 assists and 1.9 steals under 28 minutes.