Paige Bueckers Might Be Having a Better Season Than Caitlin Clark
While Caitlin Clark continues to dominate headlines with her record-breaking transition to the WNBA, a compelling argument emerges that Paige Bueckers is currently experiencing a superior collegiate season than what Clark achieved during her final year at Iowa, demonstrating remarkable consistency and leadership that may ultimately eclipse the Iowa legend’s legendary college performance.
The statistical foundation for this bold assertion lies in Bueckers’ exceptional 2024-25 campaign, where she has averaged 19.9 points per game while maintaining remarkable efficiency across all offensive categories, proving that her game has evolved beyond the promising freshman who captured national attention several years ago into a complete superstar capable of carrying her team through the most challenging moments of the season.
What makes Bueckers’ current season particularly impressive is her ability to distribute the basketball with surgical precision, recording 176 assists throughout the campaign while simultaneously serving as UConn’s primary scoring option, a dual responsibility that requires an extraordinary basketball IQ and physical endurance that few players in college basketball history have successfully managed at such an elite level.
The efficiency metrics paint an even more compelling picture of Bueckers’ dominance, as she has maintained shooting percentages of 53.4% from the field, 41.9% from three-point range, and an outstanding 88.9% from the free-throw line, numbers that represent a level of precision and consistency that even surpasses some of Clark’s most celebrated statistical achievements during her record-setting senior campaign at Iowa.
Perhaps most significantly, Bueckers has demonstrated an ability to elevate her performance in crucial moments, scoring 20 or more points in 20 different games throughout the season while maintaining her exceptional shooting efficiency, a feat that showcases not just individual brilliance but the kind of clutch gene that separates good players from generational talents who can single-handedly alter the trajectory of their programs.
The leadership dimension of Bueckers’ season cannot be understated, as she has successfully guided a young UConn team through the rigors of a challenging schedule while maintaining the high standards and expectations that have historically defined the Huskies program, proving that her impact extends far beyond individual statistics into the realm of team culture and championship mentality.
When examining the broader context of their respective seasons, Bueckers’ performance becomes even more remarkable considering the pressure and expectations placed upon her as UConn’s focal point, a role that requires not just exceptional individual skill but the mental fortitude to perform consistently under the intense scrutiny that comes with being the face of one of college basketball’s most storied franchises.
The comparison becomes particularly interesting when considering the different styles of play that define each player’s approach to the game, with Bueckers displaying a more complete all-around skill set that includes exceptional defensive awareness and rebounding ability, elements that complement her offensive prowess and create a more well-rounded impact on every aspect of team success.
While Clark’s college career was undoubtedly historic and record-breaking, Bueckers’ current season represents a level of sustained excellence and complete basketball mastery that suggests she may be operating at a higher level than even the Iowa legend achieved during her most celebrated collegiate moments, particularly when considering the efficiency and leadership components that define truly transformational seasons.
The ultimate measure of Bueckers’ season will be determined by UConn’s postseason success, but the foundation she has established through her individual excellence, team leadership, and remarkable consistency suggests that her 2024-25 campaign may indeed represent a superior collegiate basketball season than what Clark accomplished during her final year, establishing a new standard for what constitutes elite performance in women’s college basketball.