There’s something revolutionary happening in women’s basketball, and it’s not just the incredible talent that continues to step onto the hardwood. It’s the cultural shift. The fans tuning in. The social media buzzing with women’s hoops talk. The sold-out arenas. Paige Bueckers might not have topped Caitlin Clark when it comes to sheer viewership, but her draft class averaged 1.25 million eyes on them—that’s the second most-watched WNBA Draft ever. But you know, it’s not just the numbers that are doing the talking anymore. According to the veterans, there’s been a major shift in something that’s way more important: the environment.
But before we get into all that, let’s rewind for a second. The 2024 draft class changed the game. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Kate Martin; these women didn’t just show up with skills. They came with full-blown brands. We’re talking millions of followers, NIL deals bigger than some league contracts, and that whole superstar aura that had never hit the W like this before.
It wasn’t just basketball anymore; it was entertainment, business, and culture, all wrapped into one flashy, powerful package. And yet, when the season tipped off, the topmost storyline was: Clark vs. Reese. The college rivalry carried over like a storm cloud, and the fanbases got into Twitter wars, name-calling and comparisons.
And then came June 1. It was supposed to be just another Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever. But then Chennedy Carter hit Clark with a hard check from behind. Looked like a regular foul at first, but after review, it was flagrant 1. And that was just the spark. The whole internet exploded. Commentators, fans, politicians weighed in. Carter’s teammates got dragged. Debates broke out over whether vets were “targeting” Clark. It all got ugly. Fast forward to now, this year’s rookie class has been welcomed a little differently.
aw how lucky are this year’s rookies. the vets are feeling extra welcoming all of a sudden pic.twitter.com/TpxAyBnorp
— drafts (@drafts95452567) May 10, 2025
Even WNBA champion Lexie Brown said it feels like night and day. “As veterans, I think we have made this a more welcoming environment for this rookie class,” she said. “The energy feels different this year… overwhelmingly more positive, but also still very competitive.” She wasn’t sugarcoating last year either. “Last year it was like complete hostility going into the season. It was insane. I had never felt that before going into a season. The competitiveness, there was no competition type energy in that. It was just hostile and mean and nasty.”
She thins this year is “high level, high energy, competitive, respectful.” So what’s changed? Well, for starters, last season, there was one clear-cut superstar. It was Clark’s world and everyone else was just trying to catch up. The gap was wide, and people weren’t ready for that kind of attention on a rookie.
Also, this year, the “Welcome to the W” moments aren’t coming with internet outrage anymore. Take Sonia Citron, for example. She caught a tough screen recently—same kind of thing Clark did last year—but now, it’s all jokes and laughs. Even she laughed it off herself. To add to this, no drama this time either. No more rivalries extending beyond the court. Remember when Angel Reese’s mom threw shade on social media about rings matter more than ratings?
Plus, these new rookies are hooping. Not just the big names. Sure, Paige Bueckers is doing her thing in Dallas, but she’s not alone. JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James have been balling alongside her. And how can we forget the undrafted Deja Kelly who just dropped 15 points. Citron, Kiki Irifen, Aaliyah Nye, Hailey Van Lith and more shining, too.
So while this season might’ve kicked off with Paige as the shiny new star, it’s quickly turned into a rookie takeover. And according to Lexie Brown, the vets are making sure the class of 2025 feels the love and the competition.
But even with all that, who are we kidding? One name still holds the crown when it comes to drawing a crowd.
Caitlin Clark’s still queen of the crowd, even in Bueckers’ Minnesota
After averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists in her rookie season and taking home 2024 Rookie of the Year honors, Caitlin Clark set a new bar. So naturally, people are now wondering: can Paige Bueckers do the same for Dallas? Bueckers, who stayed five years at UConn, won everything there was to win—four Player of the Year awards in 2021, a national championship, and a career average of 19.8 points. Now, as the No. 1 pick for the Dallas Wings, she’s out to prove she’s more than just hype.
In preseason, Clark and the Fever are 3-0. Bueckers lost her first but bounced back in the next. But while basketball is about to get real, the ticket wars have already started. One fan looked up tickets for two Minnesota Lynx games: one vs. the Fever and one vs. the Wings.
Guess what they found?
Prices for Clark’s game were over $400 more for the same section. And there were way more open seats for Bueckers. Does that mena Clark is more popular in Minnesota, Bueckers’ own backyard? This is the kind of impact Clark has had. Last season, teams were literally moving games to bigger arenas just to fit the crowds when Clark came to town. And this year, at least six teams are doing it again—including Bueckers’ Dallas Wings. But the no.1 pick is just getting started.
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) react in the second quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Wings want to build something special with her. “I want this team to be the leader in the country and an enduring brand, like Apple or something,” said president Kelly Krauskopf. That’s the energy the league is on right now. It’s starting to feel like women’s basketball isn’t just having a moment. It’s having a movement. WhIle these classes will be compared forver, the 2024 and 2025 draft class have impacted WNBA big.
The post Caitlin Clark & Co. Made WNBA “Hostile” But Paige Bueckers’ Class Sparks a Powerful Shift Among Vets, Per Ex-WNBA Champion appeared first on EssentiallySports.