The buzz surrounding Paige Bueckers has always been intense. Ever since her high school days, she was hailed as a generational talent destined to dominate women’s basketball at every level.

At UConn, her dazzling handles, flashy passes, and ability to score in big moments made her a household name in college basketball. For years, fans and media alike painted her as the next great WNBA superstar.

But as her career has unfolded, particularly in comparison to Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise, the narrative around Bueckers is starting to unravel.

Many fans and even some WNBA players are calling out what they describe as a “hoax” — a hype machine that placed Paige on a pedestal she may not truly deserve.

At the core of this criticism is the undeniable difference between her and Caitlin Clark. Clark has redefined the women’s game with her limitless shooting range, electrifying scoring ability, and instant impact on the WNBA. She has broken attendance records, shattered viewership milestones, and ignited national conversations about women’s sports. In contrast, Bueckers, while undeniably talented, has struggled to maintain that same level of dominance, consistency, and influence. Injuries have derailed parts of her career, leaving fans to wonder if her hype was ever fully justified in the first place.

WNBA players themselves have been vocal in dismissing the Paige Bueckers narrative. Several veterans have pointed out that the league isn’t impressed by “social media hype” or highlight reels from college — only production and resilience matter in the pros. In practice scrimmages and exhibition matchups, insiders report that Bueckers has been outplayed and physically overwhelmed by established WNBA guards who have little patience for the media’s constant search for “the next big thing.” The contrast with Caitlin Clark, who has held her own and even shined under the brightest lights, has only sharpened the criticism of Paige.

The “hoax” label comes from the idea that Bueckers was more a product of marketing and media than an unstoppable force on the hardwood. UConn’s historic dominance, paired with ESPN’s heavy promotion of her early career, built a brand around Bueckers that may have exceeded reality. Her fanbase, dubbed “Paige’s Brigade,” was convinced she was the face of the future. Yet, as other stars have risen — Clark, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston, and others — Bueckers has faded into the background, her once unquestioned status now a point of debate.

Comparisons to Clark only amplify this divide. Clark is rewriting record books, dropping 30, 40, even 50 points in high-pressure games while carrying her teams to new heights. She is not just performing; she is elevating the sport itself. Bueckers, meanwhile, has yet to deliver that kind of transcendent moment at the college or professional level since her freshman season. For WNBA players, the difference is obvious: Clark backs up her hype night after night, while Paige is still trading on potential and reputation.

That isn’t to say Bueckers isn’t skilled. Her vision, ball-handling, and mid-range game are all elite. But critics argue she has benefitted from lowered expectations and constant excuses due to her injuries. Whenever Clark struggles, headlines question her toughness or adaptability; when Bueckers struggles, the narrative is often softened with sympathy for her setbacks. This double standard has not gone unnoticed by fans or by WNBA veterans who demand that all players earn their respect the same way — by producing on the court.

Some insiders suggest the WNBA’s cold reception of Paige is also tied to the culture of the league itself. Unlike college basketball, where hype can carry a player’s image, the WNBA is filled with battle-tested professionals who have endured years of being overlooked and underpaid. For them, respect isn’t given to players simply because they trended on social media or drew massive college audiences. It’s earned through grit, consistency, and the ability to compete against the best night in and night out. Clark, for all the pressure she faces, has shown flashes of that. Bueckers still has everything to prove.

As the conversation heats up, Paige finds herself at a crossroads. The label of “hoax” doesn’t mean she lacks talent; it means the expectations surrounding her were inflated to a level she hasn’t yet justified. If she wants to shed that narrative, she’ll need to stay healthy, dominate consistently, and prove she belongs in the same conversation as Caitlin Clark and other rising stars. Until then, the WNBA’s veterans — and its fans — will continue to push back against the idea that she is the next face of women’s basketball.

The Paige Bueckers story serves as a reminder of how quickly hype can become a burden. Once celebrated as the can’t-miss prospect, she is now being measured against Caitlin Clark’s unprecedented success — and coming up short. For Paige, the challenge moving forward is not about living up to her past headlines but creating new ones with her performance. Whether she rises to that challenge or fades into the shadow of her peers will determine if she truly belongs in the same conversation as the best players of her generation.