Sue Bird Is Latest To Ask… Why Isn’t Paige As Big As Caitlin Clark?

WNBA legend Sue Bird has entered the growing conversation around two of women’s basketball’s biggest names — Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers — by asking a question that’s been on the minds of fans and analysts alike:

“Why isn’t Paige as big as Caitlin?”

In a recent podcast appearance, Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and one of the most respected voices in the game, weighed in on the media frenzy surrounding Caitlin Clark and the comparative quiet around Paige Bueckers, the UConn star who once held similar hype.

“Paige was that girl before Caitlin ever stepped on a college court,” Bird said. “She had the game, the charisma, the following. So I think it’s fair to ask — why hasn’t she gotten the same level of attention, especially now as she gears up for her final college season?”

Bird’s comments have reignited debate over the role of media, injuries, timing, and even race in how female athletes are covered and celebrated.

Paige Bueckers burst onto the national scene in 2020, winning the Wooden Award and leading UConn with poise and flair rarely seen in a freshman. Her game was dynamic, her passing elite, and her popularity undeniable. But two years of injuries slowed her momentum, giving rise to new stars — most notably Caitlin Clark, who rewrote record books and made Iowa must-watch TV throughout the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons.

Clark’s combination of logo-range shooting, swagger, and consistent health gave her a platform few college athletes — male or female — ever reach. She became the face of women’s basketball, drawing record crowds, historic TV ratings, and a massive Nike signature deal.

But for many within the game, Bueckers still has the talent and potential to match, if not surpass, Clark in skill and influence — if given the platform.

“People forget how insane Paige was when healthy,” Bird added. “If she stays on the court this season, she’s going to remind everyone why the hype was real.”

Social media was quick to pick up on Bird’s comments, with many fans echoing her sentiment.

“The media completely shifted once Caitlin exploded,” one fan wrote on X. “Paige didn’t disappear — she was just injured. The world moved on.”

Others argued that Clark’s style of play — more high-scoring and flashy — naturally draws more attention than Bueckers’ pass-first, fundamentally sound game.

Still, with Paige Bueckers healthy and returning for what many expect to be her final NCAA season, the stage may finally be set for a true Clark-Bueckers comparison. And with Clark now in the WNBA, fans are wondering: can Paige reclaim the spotlight that once was hers?

Sue Bird believes the answer is yes.

“She’s still got it. And I think people are about to be reminded real quick.”

As the 2025–2026 college season approaches, one thing is clear — the conversation around women’s basketball is no longer just about Caitlin Clark. Paige Bueckers may be stepping back into the spotlight, and this time, she’s coming for everything.