Just like her WNBA debut, Paige Bueckers shone in her Unrivaled debut, recording a win for her side in the opening game with a game-high 24 points. While everyone got to see the players’ new offensive tactics and impact on the floor, even in the shorter format of the game, Chelsea Gray was more impressed by PB’s one particular move she is practicing on.
Grey, who also starred for her side, praised the Wings’ guard and even Fever star Caitlin Clark, admitting that the rookies bring in new talent to the game and want to learn from them. While Unrivaled Commissioner praised Bueckers as a superstar, getting compliments from a veteran guard like Gray is certainly an honor for the rookie.
Chelsea Gray Praising Paige Bueckers And Caitlin Clark
The Las Vegas Aces guard is the first player to win the Unrivaled League and WNBA championship in a single year. While her season 2 also started with a bang as Gray reportedly steps up for a major Rose BC role following Angel Reese’s Unrivaled absence. Yet when it comes to competition, the talented guard praised two rookies in particular.
Gray said, “They can add to my bag. There are some new things. Paige did a little in-and-out and hook layup in practice, and I was like, ‘I’mma try that and add that to the bag.’ We talk about Caitlin’s range and being able to do that off the dribble. So, I want to get better off the dribble.”
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers made a historic WNBA debut, setting and breaking multiple records in their very first season. While the Wings didn’t match PB’s level, Clark took the Fever to the playoffs in both seasons. Moreover, the Fever side gave the Las Vegas Aces tough competition during the 2025 WNBA semifinal series.
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Gray even praises the Indiana Fever’s top 3 stars for posing a tough challenge during the Aces’ title run. As for Bueckers, she admitted to having difficulty playing in a 3-on-3 format.
Paige Bueckers Admits Challenge Of Unrivaled League
Even though the Breeze BC had a winning start to their campaign, their star player was open about the harsh conditions in 3-on-3 gams. In the postgame interview, she highlighted a few points that make the Unrivaled tough to play in.
Talking about the same, she said, “We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you’re basically on an island. So at points, you’re gonna have to be okay with getting cooked.”
"We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you're basically on an island. So at points, you're gonna have to be okay with getting cooked."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 6, 2026
—Paige Bueckers
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Interestingly, tight defence is something that Paige Bueckers has thrived in, as playing within the UConn format of gameplay, she is accustomed to close marking and double-teaming.