In back-to-back years, women's basketball has witnessed history.

First, Caitlin Clark led Iowa to its first national championship in 2024, then stormed into the WNBA, winning Rookie of the Year.

One season later, Paige Bueckers did the same, guiding UConn back to the summit before earning Rookie of the Year herself.

The parallels are impossible to ignore. Both players carried top college programs and proved themselves as leaders and playmakers.

They entered the league with college championship success and immediately capitalised on this momentum to demonstrate why they were seen as the clear number one picks in their respective drafts.

The question is: what if Clark and Bueckers had declared in the same draft?

It's a debate that splits scouts, fans, and even players.

Clark brings unmatched scoring ability; her deep range and playmaking bend defences in ways few in basketball history have.

Bueckers counters with a more balanced bag: strong finishing at the rim, sharp passing, elite midrange shot creation, and a calm presence in crucial moments.

In truth, there may never be a definitive answer. What's certain is that women's basketball didn't just get one generational guard; it got two, in consecutive years. And together, Clark and Bueckers have set a new standard for what the No. 1 pick can be.

Paige's Record-Breaking Rookie Year

Bueckers didn't just meet expectations, she shattered them.

In her first WNBA season, she broke multiple rookie records for scoring efficiency and assists while being a starter in all 36 games.

These records include scoring 44 points on 81 per cent shooting in a single game, making her the first player to achieve more than 40 points at high efficiency. Though it doesn't just end there.

Bueckers closed out the season with 691 points and 194 assists, the third-highest total for a rookie.

That production earned her the 2025 Rookie of the Year award, following directly in Clark's footsteps. More than the numbers, it was the way Bueckers controlled games with precision that stood out, showing that her UConn dominance translated seamlessly to the WNBA stage.