Luka Doncic Names Caitlin Clark as His Favorite WNBA Player, Overlooking Paige Bueckers

Shortly after leaving Dallas and joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic made comments that suggested he may also have left behind any strong ties to the city’s WNBA franchise, the Dallas Wings. Earlier this month, Dallas used the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft to select Paige Bueckers, the former UConn Huskies star who had just guided her program to a national championship. Many around the league view Bueckers as a transformative talent and a potential cornerstone for the Wings. But when Doncic was recently asked about his favorite player in the WNBA, he made it clear that his loyalty lies elsewhere.

Appearing on The Sundae Conversation with Caleb Pressley, Doncic reaffirmed his admiration for Caitlin Clark. The interview, known for its satirical and offbeat tone, included a lighthearted exchange about women’s basketball. When Pressley asked Doncic whether he follows the women’s game, the Slovenian star replied that he does. Pressley then asked him to name his favorite player. Without hesitation, Doncic answered, “Caitlin Clark.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) © Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
 (© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Pressley followed up, sounding surprised, and pressed further by asking if Doncic liked Bueckers. Doncic responded with a shrug and a brief assessment: “She’s OK. I didn’t see her play in the women’s NBA, so …” His tone suggested that he had not yet formed a strong opinion about Bueckers at the professional level, especially given that she has just entered the league.

Doncic’s response may add fuel to what is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about storylines in women’s basketball: the inevitable comparisons between Clark and Bueckers. The two stars were selected with back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in consecutive WNBA drafts, and both entered the league with enormous expectations after stellar collegiate careers. Clark, who was drafted first overall in 2024, immediately lived up to the hype by delivering an outstanding rookie campaign. She averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, earning Rookie of the Year honors and cementing herself as one of the league’s brightest young talents.

Bueckers, meanwhile, arrives in Dallas with similar fanfare. After leading UConn to a national championship, she was widely considered the consensus top prospect. The Wings are counting on her to elevate the franchise and help usher in a new era. Given her scoring ability, court vision, and high basketball IQ, many believe she has the tools to become a superstar at the professional level.

However, Wings general manager Curt Miller has cautioned that Bueckers’ transition to the WNBA may not be as smooth as Clark’s was. He pointed out a key difference in circumstances between the two rookie seasons. During Clark’s first year, the league schedule included an Olympic break, which allowed players—particularly rookies coming off long college seasons—to rest and recharge. That pause in the schedule gave them time to recover physically and mentally before the final stretch of the season.

According to Miller, Bueckers and the rest of her draft class will not have that same advantage. There will be no extended midseason break to provide relief from the grind of a long campaign. As a result, rookies may find it more challenging to maintain peak performance from start to finish. Miller emphasized that this is not meant as a criticism of Clark’s accomplishments, but rather as an acknowledgment of how scheduling differences can affect player development and performance.

As the 2025 WNBA season approaches, fans should expect continued debate over which of the two young stars will have the greater impact. Clark has already established herself as a dynamic playmaker and a major draw for the league. Bueckers, on the other hand, enters with a championship pedigree and the opportunity to reshape the trajectory of a franchise in need of a boost.

Doncic’s comments, though delivered in a playful interview setting, highlight how closely the basketball world is watching this emerging rivalry. While he clearly favors Clark for now, Bueckers will have plenty of chances to prove herself on the court. Ultimately, the comparisons between the two may help elevate interest in the WNBA as a whole, drawing more attention to a league rich with young talent and compelling storylines.