New book reveals why Caitlin Clark’s Rookie of the Year award looked so different from Paige Bueckers’
The internet has spent much of 2024 trying to convince people that the WNBA has failed when it comes to celebrating Caitlin Clark’s Rookie of the Year award. And on the surface it certainly seemed that way.
Clark received fairly low-key recognition as he took home the honor after a historic first season. He received the news via speaker phone call from Commissioner Cathy Engelbert during practice. That’s it.
Fast forward a year, and Paige Bueckers is accepting the 2025 Rookie of the Year award on national television, while Engelbert appears in person on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”
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Naturally, fans noticed the discrepancy and had some questions.
However, according to the newly released paperback edition On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports According to Christine Brennan, the truth is a little more complicated than the online outrage suggests.
In fact, WNBA spokesman Ron Howard says the league is trying to give Clark similar fanfare.
“We offered to come to Indy and hold a press conference after the team season is over and/or [NBA Entertainment] “Have a conversation with CC,” Howard said through Brennan’s book. “But both the team and its agent rejected the offer… It was difficult to do that when the team was in Connecticut, but we then offered to do something in Indianapolis and were rejected.”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers compete during a first-half infield play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
He even added that the league has greater media opportunities: “Add to that the fact that we had a chance to meet with him for GMA as well, but the opportunities were declined.”
CAITLIN CLARK LOOKS HEALTHY LIKE THE FIRE THAT PASSED NIGERIA BEFORE THE MAY 9 OPENER VS WINGS
So if you’re wondering why Clark didn’t have the same exciting moment as Bueckers, it might be because Clark didn’t want to. Or at least his camp didn’t.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers drives to the basket against Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao during the second half at College Park Center on June 24, 2025. (Chris Jones-Imagn Images)
It’s worth noting that Clark was named to ROTY, as he and the Indiana Fever were in the midst of a playoff series against the Connecticut Sun. This isn’t ideal timing for a rookie to drop everything and do a media tour.
Meanwhile, Bueckers had already finished his season, as the Dallas Wings finished the season 10-34 and missed the postseason.
As a rookie, Caitlin Clark led the league in total assists (337), made 3-pointers (122), broke the single-game assists record (19) and became the first rookie to record a triple-double. (IMAGN Syndication: Indianapolis Star)
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So perhaps Clark’s casual phone call was less condescending and more a logistical issue.
Clark and Bueckers will face off on May 9 when the Fever host the Dallas Wings to open the 2026 season; It’s a fitting early spotlight for two players who will almost certainly be linked for as long as they’re in the league.
