Paige Bueckers’ stellar performance: Why she’s not getting the same spotlight as Caitlin Clark

Paige Bueckers has been one of the most electrifying talents in college basketball for years. As a standout for the UConn Huskies and a projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, her skill set speaks for itself. Yet, Bueckers’ impact reaches far beyond her on-court prowess. She has leveraged her platform to advocate for meaningful change in the sport, emphasizing the need to uplift all players rather than focusing solely on individual stardom. For her, leadership is not only about winning games but shaping the future of women’s basketball.

Paige Bueckers has always been aware of the power of attention in sports. She recognizes that individual stardom can only go so far in growing the game and has long advocated for a more inclusive spotlight.
“Everybody was focused on me my freshman year,” Bueckers said during the NCAA Tournament. “But it’s more important to grow the game by sharing the spotlight... and showing all the stars of college basketball.”
Even with that mindset, her return to dominance has been impossible to ignore. But here’s the thing—her name isn’t everywhere like it used to be. The question is, why?
Bueckers’ journey hasn’t been easy. A torn ACL in 2022 wiped out an entire season, adding to earlier injury struggles. People questioned if she’d ever be the same player again.
She didn’t just return—she came back better. She’s the only player across the NBA, WNBA, and college basketball with a 50/40/90 shooting split this season. She’s putting up nearly 20 points a game, leading the conference in assists, and making UConn a serious title contender. And yet, despite all that, she’s not generating the same media frenzy Caitlin Clark did last year.


While Bueckers’ performance has been remarkable, a deeper look into her media coverage reveals why her stellar comeback hasn’t garnered the attention it deserves. Bueckers has never been afraid to speak out, and that might explain some of it. When she won College Athlete of the Year at the 2021 ESPYs, Bueckers used her platform to address the underrepresentation of Black women in sports.
“With the light that I have now as a white woman leading a Black-led sport, I want to shed light on Black women,” she said. “They don’t get the media coverage they deserve. Their value is undeniable.”
She wasn’t wrong. Black athletes have long dominated the WNBA’s biggest awards but don’t always get the same mainstream attention. Bueckers named Maria Taylor, Robin Roberts, Maya Moore, and others, calling for a shift in how Black women in sports are covered.
It was a bold move—and one that may have changed how certain audiences viewed her. Former NBA player Etan Thomas put it bluntly in The Guardian: “While Black America cheered Bueckers, mainstream white America—a demographic that once saw her as a ‘media darling’—wasn’t as loud about her anymore.”

Race and media narratives have always shaped sports. The 2023 NCAA Championship was a perfect example—Angel Reese was criticized for her confidence, while Caitlin Clark was celebrated for the same fire. It’s a pattern that’s been around forever, but women’s basketball is just now seeing it play out on a bigger stage.
Unlike Clark, Bueckers isn’t part of a rivalry that fuels constant headlines. She’s just an elite player who also happens to challenge the status quo. And in a world where athletes are often rewarded for staying quiet, maybe that’s why her comeback isn’t being celebrated the way it should be.
Still, Bueckers keeps doing what she does. She’s a leader on and off the court, supporting teammates like Jana El-Alfy during Ramadan and finding peace in gospel music before games. She doesn’t need the validation—she knows exactly who she is.
UConn is making a push for another title, and Bueckers is at the center of it. Whether or not the media gives her the attention she deserves, her impact is clear. If she wins big but doesn’t get the same headlines, we’ll all know why.
Also Read: She will be back stronger and better: USC Trojan star JuJu Watkins suffers season-ending injury as NBA and WNBA stars, such as Magic Johnson, Caitlin Clark, and more, show support
Regardless of whether the media catches up to her impact, Bueckers continues to redefine leadership in sports. She’s a force on and off the court—championing inclusivity, diversity, and the true spirit of competition. UConn’s title hopes rest on her shoulders, and no matter how much attention she gets, Paige Bueckers’ influence is undeniable.