Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark’s Unequal ROTY Celebrations Enrage Fans: “Just a Team Call on Speaker, Wow”

All season long Paige Bueckers was the frontrunner to take over from Caitlin Clark as the league's next Rookie of the Year.

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark’s Unequal ROTY Celebrations Enrage Fans: “Just a Team Call on Speaker, Wow”

WNBA commissioner surprises Paige Bueckers with ROTY award (Image via FirstSportz)

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Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were among the top 4 high school recruits in the famed class of 2020. Since then, the two have become No. 1 overall picks in back-to-back seasons in the WNBA.

Where one became the most important superstar in the Indiana Fever’s revival, Paige Bueckers is now about to start helping the Dallas Wings reach the top of the league. Her first season was not something to remember as the Wings won just 10 games and finished bottom. Now they have the best odds to again win the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.

However, her individual performances were noteworthy, as she led the team as well as all rookies in points and assists. She also ranked 2nd among rookies in steals per game as well as in free throws. That was enough for her to garner 70 out of the 72 votes to win this year’s Rookie of the Year award. The other two votes went to Washington Mystics rookie, Sonia Citron.

The UConn star was a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where she first went through their usual celebratory method of welcoming any guest. As she danced to the song sung by the show’s staff, she was surprised by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Engelbert then told her that she won the ROTY award, and then handed her the trophy, and the pair clicked pictures before the Wings star headed towards her interview.

Fans fume as WNBA rewards Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark differently

When clips of this reached social media, fans were enraged that the WNBA and its commissioner went the extra mile to make the Rookie of the Year award feel special. On the other hand, when it was Caitlin Clark’s turn, all Cathy Engelbert did was call on the Fever’s team phone, which was then placed on speaker when she and her teammates were practicing.

Fans asked why the commissioner could not take the time out to at least visit the Fever and give the award in person. Instead, the trophy was flown out to the Fever, who gave it to her, and clicked pictures as per the league’s request.

WNBA fans were irate that the league is constantly proving that it does not want to acknowledge that Caitlin Clark is what is driving their growth. Instead, they are going out of their way to make others feel good. Check out examples of those reactions below.

To be fair to the WNBA, they usually call the player in question just as they did to A’ja Wilson, as her Aces were also in the midst of the playoffs. However, the fans do have a point that the commissioner could fly out to each team’s game and hand out regular-season awards in person.

Caitlin Clark’s Fever fight to live on in playoffs

Caitlin Clark could not continue her 2024 ROTY-winning performances after three soft-tissue injuries stopped her season at just 13 games. Without her in the lineup along with 4 other players, the Fever still managed to reach the playoffs.

Caitlin Clark and Fever bench celebrate in Game 2 win
Caitlin Clark and Fever bench celebrate in Game 2 win (Image via Indiana Fever/X)

In the first game against the Atlanta Dream, Clark was animated as controversial officiating impacted their momentum. Heading into their 2nd game tonight at home, the Fever knew they had to win to stay in the playoffs.

From the first whistle, they did just that, going pedal to the metal on every possession. Their relentless effort saw them take a commanding 20-point lead with more than 8 minutes remaining.

The Dream understood it was going to be a waste to expend their energy, and head coach Karl Smesko benched his starters. After the game, Caitlin Clark tweeted to let Fever fans know they played a part in this victory.

Shoutout the fans!!! Gainbridge was LOUD!

Caitlin Clark wrote on X

Now, the Fever will head back to Atlanta in the hopes that their season of adversity will continue. It will be a tall ask to win against the 3rd best team in the league, fielding a healthy and motivated roster.

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