Controversy Erupts as Former NBA Star Suggests Paige Bueckers’ Popularity Is Affected by Racial Factors

UConn women’s basketball standout Paige Bueckers has consistently impressed during this year’s NCAA Tournament, highlighted by her recent 40-point performance in the Sweet 16 victory against Oklahoma.

Despite Bueckers’ outstanding play, some observers have pointed out that her popularity hasn’t soared to the same heights as Iowa star Caitlin Clark, who achieved significant fame last season through her scoring exploits and well-publicized rivalry with LSU’s Angel Reese.

In a recent column for The Guardian, former NBA player Etan Thomas suggested racial elements may be influencing Bueckers’ relative lack of mainstream popularity. Thomas argued that Bueckers’ strong public association with the Black community, including her heartfelt shoutout to Black women during her 2021 ESPYs acceptance speech, may have negatively impacted how certain audiences perceive her.

Thomas also mentioned the lack of a clear “Black villain” in Bueckers’ NCAA Tournament run—unlike Caitlin Clark’s widely discussed rivalry with Angel Reese. According to Thomas, Clark’s rivalry attracted an audience for problematic reasons, claiming some viewers became interested due to racial dynamics rather than genuine appreciation of women’s basketball talent.

“Bueckers hasn’t had a Black rival portrayed negatively by the media,” Thomas wrote. “This has limited her exposure and the kind of attention that boosted Caitlin Clark’s profile significantly among certain demographic groups.”

Thomas further highlighted Bueckers’ close relationships with diverse teammates, noting gestures such as cooking for Muslim teammates during Ramadan, singing gospel songs, and having a Black stepmother and siblings, actions which he argued might alienate her from certain sections of the audience.

Despite this controversy, Paige Bueckers continues to dominate on court, averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. Still chasing her first NCAA Championship, Bueckers is already regarded among UConn’s elite group of legendary players, joining the ranks of Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart.