Paige Bueckers is a force to be reckoned with in college basketball right now just like Caitlin Clark was once upon a time. Coming in as UConn’s most hyped recruit since Breanna Stewart in 2012, Bueckers wasted no time making her mark. She not only led the Huskies to the 2022 NCAA tournament final but also showcased her unmatched skill and poise, solidifying herself as one of the brightest stars in the game today.

Injuries may have slowed Paige Bueckers down at times, but they’ve never stopped her. Despite setbacks that have stalled parts of her college career, she remains one of the most electrifying players today. Averaging 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, Bueckers has been the heart and soul of UConn, leading them to the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Conference.

With her elite scoring ability and unmatched court vision, she’s still on track to be one of the top picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft, proving that true stars always find their way back to the top. And now she finds herself getting compared to Caitlin Clark once again!

Julianne Viani-Braen of CBS stirred up a storm with her bold take, calling Paige Bueckers an all-around player, unlike Caitlin Clark. She said, “That’s what I have always loved about her game is she doesn’t force anything, she is not gonna go out there and take 40 shots, she isn’t that kind of a player and I know we’ve talked about Caitlin Clark’s of the day now, Caitlin Clark in the WNBA.” “They are different kinds of players and there’s no comparing them because Paige Bueckers she’s just an all round versatile player, she’s gonna get people the ball , she’s gonna look for her shot like that.”

The comment sent shockwaves through the basketball world, igniting a fiery debate between fans of both superstars.Social media exploded with takes, stats, and comparisons turning the discussion into one of the biggest debates in women’s college basketball this season. Let’s take a look at what fans have to say about the comments made by Julianne!

Fans fume as Caitlin Clark gets compared to Paige Bueckers

Caitlin Clark fans have been furious ever since the comparison dropped down, questioning Julianne’s credibility! One fan on X didn’t hold back, firing off,  “saying caitlin takes 40 shots a game and can’t be compared to paige because she’s an “all around versatile player” while paige is playing “providence” and caitlin is fresh off a all wnba ROTY season where she finished 4th in mvp voting is deranged but maybe that’s just me”

Now, let’s put things into perspective. Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark both started their college journeys at the same time. Back then, Bueckers was the more hyped high school prospect, seen as the next big thing for UConn. Fast forward to today, while Paige is still leading the Huskies, Caitlin has already begun dominating the WNBA, winning Rookie of the Year and finishing fourth in MVP voting in her first season. Injuries obviously had a role to play but there’s no question about the fact that Clark is definitely the superior player among the two right now!

Fans in general have been disappointed by the way Julianne phrased the whole dialogue. Fans said ” they be saying slick shit like this then say “we can’t compare the two” like yea give up the gimmick we all know who the better player is”  Another fan echoed the frustration, saying, “I promise you can praise Paige without bringing Caitlin into it” For many, it wasn’t about downplaying Bueckers’ talent, but rather the way the conversation was framed. Instead of celebrating both players for their unique strengths, it felt like an unwarranted comparison, one that didn’t sit well with Clark’s supporters.

While some fans defended Paige Bueckers, others weren’t convinced, questioning her ability to deliver in the biggest matchups. One fan took to X to call her out, saying“damn when was this all around versatile player against Tennessee, USC, and notre dame 🤔🤔🤔” Another fan added, “There’s really no comparing them” yet goes on to compare them😭😭 look like no denying Paige is great but like there is no “Caitlin before Caitlin”. Caitlin also showed up in big games…”

It’s true that Bueckers struggled against certain teams, shooting 5-of-16 against Tennessee and 9-of-22 against USC, but let’s not act like she’s not a clutch performer. She’s been instrumental in UConn’s wins against ranked teams like North Carolina and Ole Miss, proving that while she may have had a few off nights, she’s more than capable of stepping up and leading her team when it matters most.

Julianne Viani-Braen’s comments outright infuriated fans. Many felt her take was unfair, dismissing Caitlin’s dominance while forcing an unnecessary comparison. In the end, instead of celebrating two great players, the discussion turned into a full-blown controversy, with fans calling out the commentator!