Hell Breaks Loose as Caitlin Clark Stans Fire Back at Paige Bueckers Fans After Jibe at WNBA Star Goes Viral
The rivalry between two of the biggest names in women’s college basketball, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, dates back to 2021. One has already made her mark in the pros, while the other is gearing up to do the same, with all eyes on her 2025 debut. But you know what? The competition between these two isn’t just about their on-court performances; it’s fueled just as much by their loyal, die-hard fans who are now clashing online. And let’s just say, things are heating up!
pers flared recently after a viral jibe from a Bueckers fan. Mariah Rose posted a video that quickly caught fire. In it, she made a statement that has sent Caitlin Clark’s supporters into a frenzy. She claimed, “She (Paige) was Caitlin Clark before Caitlin Clark.” This was enough to spark a raging debate about who truly deserves the crown of college basketball queen. And to make things even more intense, Rose blamed the referees for UConn’s loss to Iowa last year—an accusation that didn’t sit well with Clark’s supporters.
But let’s rewind a bit. In 2021, both players had standout freshman seasons, and that set the stage for everything that was to come. The Iowa alumna and UConn star were both named Freshmen of the Year, and from then on, fans fiercely debated who deserved it more. Clark averaged a remarkable 26.6 points per game, leading Iowa’s offense, while Bueckers put up 20.0 points per game and took UConn to a Final Four appearance. Despite these numbers, Bueckers took home the Naismith Trophy, which left Clark’s supporters feeling robbed.
*Image Placement 2: A split-screen showing both players during their Freshmen of the Year celebrations.*
Over the years, their careers have taken vastly different paths. Clark went on to break records and cement her status at Iowa, while Bueckers struggled with injuries that kept her from reaching her full potential—until now. After a long recovery from knee surgery, Bueckers led UConn to the NCAA Tournament semi-finals, where they were ultimately defeated by Caitlin Clark’s Iowa team.
Fast forward to today: Paige Bueckers’ WNBA debut is on the horizon, while Caitlin Clark has just completed one of the most stellar rookie seasons in WNBA history. This reignited their rivalry, and the new video from Rose has added more fuel to the fire. Indiana Fever star Clark’s fans aren’t taking the dig lightly.
Caitlin Clark Fans Fire Back at Paige Bueckers Online
The fans are just as competitive as the players. One fan commented on the video, saying, “The refs wanted Caitlin to win a championship? Guess those refs took the day off of the championship game. What a crappy way to try to build up Paige by minimizing the most popular female basketball player in the world.”
Clark’s supporters completely rejected the notion that Iowa’s victory was due to officiating bias. In fact, referring to her as the “most popular female basketball player in the world” isn’t far off the mark—after all, Caitlin Clark’s incredible rookie season shattered a 24-year-old WNBA viewership record. Another fan chimed in, saying, “Not surprised you gotta mention CC to get some more views.” According to Clark’s fans, Paige’s supporters often invoke Caitlin’s name to gain traction, simply because her marketability and popularity are unmatched.
Another fan directly referenced last year’s semi-final, writing, “Maybe Paige shouldn’t have had her back turned on the inbound. Did the moving screen call suck as well? Yeah, but that was the definition of a moving screen.” With just 3.9 seconds left on the clock, and Iowa leading 70-69, UConn was called for an illegal screen, handing possession to Iowa. In a dramatic twist, Caitlin Clark sealed the game by throwing the ball off Paige Bueckers’ back during an inbound play to kill the clock.
Paige’s fans have called the officiating questionable, but Clark’s supporters argue it was pure basketball IQ. Either way, it was a moment that will forever be remembered in their rivalry.
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Among the fiery debates, there were some who decided to take a different route—one fan wrote, “Knocking down one woman to build another up, it’s just ugly. All boats rise together.” Amidst all the competitive energy, this comment was a gentle reminder of the bigger picture: celebrating both athletes for their contributions to women’s basketball.
In the end, another fan made it personal: “Does everyone love Paige though? ♀️ I, for one, would set my alarm to watch Caitlin play at 5 a.m. I wouldn’t do that for any other player in America, so tell me again how everyone loves Paige?” This devotion showcases the unique passion Caitlin Clark inspires among her followers.
Whether Paige Bueckers ends up stealing the spotlight when she likely lands with the Dallas Wings in the 2025 Draft, or Caitlin Clark continues to solidify her position as the WNBA’s rising star, there is one thing that remains undeniable—both players will go down in history as two of the greatest college athletes who made a seamless transition to the pros. But for now, as they say, game on.
