Caitlin Clark praised Paige Bueckers ahead of Iowa and UConn's Final Four game

Ahead of their 2024 women’s NCAA Final Four game, Iowa women’s basketball’s Caitlin Clark praised UConn’s Paige Bueckers and what she’s been able to accomplish in her career.

Clark and Bueckers have known each other since middle school, and the former lauded the latter for her competitive spirit and the way she leads her team when she plays.

It’s a really cool reminder from Clark for how much these athletes respect one another, even when the competition gets fierce with a shared goal on the table.

Clark will be headed to the WNBA after the season while Bueckers will stay in school for another year. It sure sounds like Clark will be cheering Bueckers on as she remains one of college basketball’s true stars.

"The coolest thing about Paige is how resilient she is. Since I've known her since she was in middle school, she's always had that fire, she's always been a great leader…I couldn't be happier for her and the year that she's had."

Caitlin Clark on Paige Bueckers: pic.twitter.com/PFnYQMEFIC

— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) April 4, 2024

Bueckers also talked about the possibility that she’ll replace Clark as the sport’s biggest star next season, hoping instead that the focus will shift more to all of the great women’s basketball players at the collegiate level.

Paige Bueckers was asked about potentially replacing Caitlin Clark as the star of women's college basketball next season.

"I honestly hope next year I'm not the focal point and the only person that gets attention. I hope as media, as players, we can spread the love a little bit… pic.twitter.com/vWGfPIf8pZ

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 4, 2024

These were some really cool insights from two of the game’s great players, who are both winners no matter who wins in the Final Four game on Friday.