Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers is already making her mark as a superstar in the WNBA. Despite the team’s disappointing performances this season, Bueckers has continued to stand out with exceptional play, giving fans real hope for a future championship.
Her explosive 44-point performance sent shockwaves through the basketball world, drawing comparisons to veteran stars and sparking conversations about her unique playing style.
Which NBA Star Did Candace Parker Compare Paige Bueckers To?
In a recent episode of “Post Moves with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston,” Parker, a WNBA legend, spoke about Bueckers and her current game with genuine admiration.
“In a league that is so dominated by layups and three-pointers — this is what Paige talked in one of her press conferences. That teams are willing to give up mid ranges. And we’ve seen how dominant the mid-range game can be in the NBA,” Parker said.
Parker continued by discussing the often-overlooked mid-range shot, which is frequently used by players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“They’re still valuing that [mid-range shot],” Parker added. “And Paige Bueckers got a pretty mid-range game. So…bright future. Bright future.”
Parker pointed out that Gilgeous-Alexander, who doesn’t rely heavily on three-pointers, helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to success while earning individual accolades. Last season, the star point guard averaged 32.7 points, five rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 51.9% from the field. He shot 37.5% from three-point range.
Currently completing her rookie campaign, Bueckers is averaging 19 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting an impressive 46.6% from the field. She’s connecting on 33.9% from beyond the arc, creating a statistical profile similar to Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach.
Furthermore, her record-breaking 44-point game against the Los Angeles Sparks provided concrete evidence of her successful mid-range shooting. She made 17 of 21 field goals that night, shooting 81% from the field.
This performance has solidified Bueckers’ position as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year while kick-starting broader conversations about mid-range shots. Many fans have compared Bueckers’ game to Caitlin Clark’s rookie season, believing Clark received more visibility because of her three-point shots from half-court.
While Bueckers isn’t making those long-distance shots, her mid-range jumper continues to generate the same level of excitement and effectiveness.
How Do Other Analysts View Bueckers’ Mid-Range Mastery?
Additionally, Parker isn’t the only analyst drawing comparisons between Bueckers’ mid-range shooting and NBA icons.
In a segment on his show, analyst Dan Patrick compared Bueckers and her shot selection to both Gilgeous-Alexander and 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant.
“Watching her, she had four three-pointers [in her 44-point game]. I think she made all four. But she loves the mid-range jump shot. It’s like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant,” Patrick said.
Like Gilgeous-Alexander, a veteran like Durant has weaponized the mid-range shot, rising above a league focused on perfecting the three-point shot.
That being said, Bueckers’ game should only improve over the coming years, hopefully leading to a WNBA championship with appropriate help from her teammates.