Why is A’ja Wilson’s reaction to Paige Bueckers trending? Viral Kelsey Plum interaction examined.
Why is A’ja Wilson’s reaction to Paige Bueckers trending? (Credit: Getty Images)
On Tuesday night, A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will attempt to even their series with the New York Liberty. However, after their Game 1 defeat, some old comments by the three-time WNBA MVP have trended.
The Liberty won the first game of the series thanks to strong performances from Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. A fan posted their stats side-by-side while bringing up previous remarks made by Wilson.
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The quote is from A’ja Wilson’s conversation with her teammate Kelsey Plum regarding college star Paige Bueckers. She agreed that the UConn star was talented but claimed her white privilege elevated her status in the sport.
“Us as black women, Paige reminds me a lot of you,” Wilson said to Plum. “She knows how her privilege has gotten her to that point. And also, like, she’s good at basketball.
“Like she understands her privilege. It’s like what pushes her over the top in a sense. It reminds me a lot of you.”
Bueckers is getting ready for her fifth season at UConn and her fourth where she can play. The versatile guard is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
A’ja Wilson isn’t the first to mention the differences in how women of color and their white counterparts are treated in the WNBA. The Aces Center used Plum as an example. However, this narrative has recently been a hot topic in the league because of Caitlin Clark.
Meanwhile, few players had a spotlight as big as Wilson this year. Between winning MVP in the Olympics and becoming the WNBA’s unanimous MVP, she has received praise from fans and analysts alike.
Caitlin Clark responded to A’ja Wilson’s comments linking race to popularity in women’s basketball
Throughout the season, Caitlin Clark has seen her name and image weaponized for narratives regarding race. She typically avoided the topic during interviews but did respond to A’ja Wilson’s statements.
Before her pro debut, Clark was asked about Wilson’s race comments and how skin color affects popularity in women’s basketball. The former Iowa standout had this to say:
“I think there’s opportunities for every single player in women’s basketball. I think the more opportunities we can give across the board, that’s what’s going to elevate women’s basketball. It doesn’t need to be one or two players, and I think that even goes back to college.
“I think the more you spread the love, show people, show their talents, show their teams, that’s just going to continue to elevate it. So, I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Like A’ja Wilson, Clark also won a unanimous award this season. Despite entering the league with massive expectations weighing on her, the Indiana Fever guard delivered a historic debut campaign and took home Rookie of the Year.
