Paige Bueckers won the Rookie of the Year award with a massive voting margin. Her exceptional first year in the ‘W’ is often compared to that of Caitlin Clark a season ago. Both players dominated in their first season with their offensive gameplays, but NFL Star Emmanuel Acho stepped in for his choice of rookie.
As per the Philadelphia Eagles star, the Wings’ guard is a more sound player with high efficiency. This gives her a slight edge over the 2024 Rookie of the Year winner.
Emmanuel Acho Ranks Paige Bueckers Above Caitlin Clark
The 2025 top pick was nearly a unanimous rookie of the year winner, just like a season ago, as the Fever guard won the award. WNBA’s double standards in Rookie of the Year announcement both stars surfaced, which shocked many fans. There were discussions over who is a better player, which were already on the table ever since both stars faced each other in college.
Reflecting on the same, NFL star Emmanuel Acho gave his opinion and simplified the reasons. On the ‘Speak Easy’ talk show, he rated the UConn star higher based on her efficiency and overall impact on the game.
“I’m taking Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark. Basketball heads, am I trippin. She’s (Paige) a more fundamentally sound basketball player in my mind. I think she (Pagie) shot 47% from the field and 38% from three, as opposed to Caitlin, who shot 38% from the field and 32% from three. Paige’s efficiency is a separating factor for me,” Acho said on the Speakeasy talk show.
I’m taking Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark. Basketball heads, am I trippin?
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 17, 2025
🎥: @speakeasytlkshw pic.twitter.com/hdZK0TKVug
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However, Acho had been a CC supporter during his earlier assessment. Even though the player talked in the All-Star voting contest and didn’t compare her to any other player, he ranks the playmaker much higher in the league.
Emmanuel Acho Showed Support For Caitlin Clark During All-Star Voting
But the former line-breaker showed support for the Fever star in the past. During the All-Star game, when the former Iowa player was voted the best player in the league by the players, Acho was vocal about his views.
“To rank her as the ninth best guard leads me to believe that it’s either delusion or it is jealousy… I’m not speaking about an individual WNBA player, I’m speaking about the WNBA players. How do you vote her as the ninth best guard, though you treat her as the best, second best, or worst, third best guard?” Acho said on The Facility.
PB also made it to the All-Star game. But at the end of the 2025 season, Acho put the Indiana superstar behind Paige Bueckers, with priority given to efficiency.