Caitlin Clark Fans Slam WNBA Over Commissioner’s Praise for Paige Bueckers Amid ROTY Buzz and Fever Struggles

The WNBA is facing mounting pressure from fans of Caitlin Clark after Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was recently seen publicly praising Paige Bueckers, sparking controversy during a heated Rookie of the Year (ROTY) race. The comments come amid the Indiana Fever’s ongoing struggles, having won only 10 games this season despite Clark’s strong individual performances.

Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and college basketball’s all-time leading scorer, entered the league with immense hype. Despite playing on a rebuilding Fever squad, Clark has consistently drawn national attention, leading rookies in points and assists per game. Her transition to the pro level has also translated to massive ticket sales, sold-out arenas, and record-breaking viewership for the league.

However, many fans feel Clark is being overlooked or unfairly criticized, especially as the ROTY race tightens. Commissioner Engelbert recently praised UConn star Paige Bueckers—who has yet to play a WNBA game—as “one of the most exciting talents in the future of women’s basketball” and “a potential face of the league.” Though the statement was likely intended to promote future stars, Clark supporters took it as a slight.

Social media erupted in response. Hashtags like #ClarkDeservesRespect and #ROTYisCaitlin began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of fans accusing the WNBA of downplaying Clark’s impact.

“Caitlin Clark is literally saving this league,” one user wrote. “She’s putting up numbers, filling arenas, and still gets shade from the top. What more do you want from her?”

“Paige Bueckers hasn’t even played in the WNBA yet. Why is the Commissioner gushing about her in the middle of Clark’s rookie season?” another fan commented.

This comes as the Fever struggle with a 10-25 record, raising questions about how team performance might affect Clark’s ROTY chances. Some analysts argue that despite the team’s struggles, Clark remains the clear front-runner due to her statistical output and transformative impact on the league’s visibility.

Former WNBA player and ESPN analyst Monica Wright weighed in, saying: “It’s fair to acknowledge other rising stars like Bueckers, but let’s not forget what Caitlin Clark is doing right now. She’s changed the trajectory of this league in just one season.”

The WNBA has not issued a formal response to the backlash. However, Commissioner Engelbert clarified in a follow-up interview that her comments about Bueckers were not meant to downplay Clark’s contributions, but to highlight the depth of young talent coming into the league.

As the regular season winds down, all eyes remain on the ROTY race. With just a handful of games left, Clark’s performance—and the Fever’s record—will likely be scrutinized closely by voters. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s rookie season has ignited passion, debate, and a new era for women’s basketball.