Team USA has gone 4-0 up in the ongoing FIBA World Cup qualifiers. And one of the standout players emerging from the lot is Caitlin Clark. Clark, with her two-way play, is making a statement following her long injury-hiatus. Peaking just before the start of the upcoming WNBA season, the 24-year-old star has quickly become a fan favorite.
However, this year, Team USA has been a star-studded affair. And with the likes of Paige Bueckers coming into the mix, the spotlight is not on Clark anymore. So much so that the Indiana Fever star might lose out on the FIBA MVP award to her Dallas Wings counterpart.
Can Paige Bueckers Win The FIBA MVP Over Caitlin Clark?
So far, the 2024 Rookie of the Year has averaged 12.8 points and 6.3 assists in the four games she has played. And this is quite an achievement, as she was missing from the mainstream action since last July. But as good as her performances look, it does not make her an automatic choice for the MVP award.
And one of the biggest reasons for the same is the UConn Huskies star. Putting forth a confident take on her defensive game, Bueckers is rising in her ranks rapidly. As a result, she is going neck and neck with Clark for the MVP votes at the moment.
Currently, the 2025 Rookie of the Year is leading the charts with over 6000 fan votes. Although there has been no definitive statement about the matter from FIBA, the Fever star’s throne looks in serious danger.
Insane level of talent here 🤯
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) March 16, 2026
🗳️ Who's been your San Juan MVP? VOTE: https://t.co/VQiM9pmc1O#FIBAWWC x #WeOwnTheGame pic.twitter.com/TUnRu5Xmf9
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Together with Clark and Angel Reese, the 2025 NCAA champion has proved herself on the biggest stage. Over the last four games, the rookie star has averaged 11 points, 2.3 assists, and three rebounds. And in all of the four games, her team has won by a margin of more than 30 points.
Meanwhile, despite the healthy rivalry, the duo has shown some incredible chemistry playing together.
Paige Bueckers And Caitlin Clark Make Merry For Team USA
When the roster was announced, fans feared a clash of power dynamics between Clark and Bueckers. After all, last season the Wings’ star broke several records of the face of the WNBA. Surprisingly, as the duo teamed up in national colors, their chemistry wowed the fans.
During Team USA’s recent victory over New Zealand, the pair combined to deliver a memorable moment in the game. Right at the final minute, the Iowa-born went around a ball screen. This drew the attention of Bueckers’ defenders towards her to leave the Wings’ star in the open.
It's clear that there is *very* organic chemistry between Caitlin Clark & Paige Bueckers.
— Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 (@StephenPG3) March 15, 2026
Clark snakes the ball screen & holds brief attention of Bueckers matchup, prompting the cut & appreciate the touch & accuracy from Clark on delivery in traffic… good, good, stuff. pic.twitter.com/UFUlOgPP7j
Well, as it appears, the USA women’s basketball team’s future seems to be in safe hands. And with both the stars turning rivals this WNBA season, fans will be in for a banger.