WNBArookie Paige Bueckers has attracted the fury of fans after she claimed to have benefitted from ‘white privilege’ and complained about the lack of ‘equal coverage’ of black players in the league.
Bueckers, 23, was taken by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick in last month’s WNBA draft after a stellar college career at UConn.
She was criticized in 2021 for citing what she thought was a lack of coverage towards black women in sports at the ESPY Awards.
Now she’s readdressed that topic in her first few weeks as a pro in similar comments WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark made during her rookie year.
‘It’s still an issue, every single day,’ Bueckers told TIME in an interview this week.
‘There’s not ever equal coverage. There’s white privilege every single day that I see.
WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers has attracted fury after admitting to having ‘white privilege’
Bueckers’ comments are similar to ones WNBA star Caitlin Clark made during her rookie year
‘I feel like I’ve worked extremely hard, blessed by God. But I do think there’s more opportunities for me. I feel like even just marketability, people tend to favor white people, white males, white women.
‘I think it should be equal opportunity. I feel like there is privilege to what I have, and to what all white people have. I recognize that. I want to counteract that with the way I go about my business.’
One fan wrote: ‘Wings’ Paige Bueckers laments lack of “equal coverage” of Black women, talks “White privilege”. Hasn’t played a game yet & already she’s playing the race game.
‘These are supposed to be people little girls look up to instead they are mouth pieces for the woke’.
Another commented: ‘That’s why WNBA is a joke.. Caitlin Clark sold out last year in the same fashion. Would never watch one of their games.’
A third wrote: ‘What is she going to do? Turn down all marketing opportunities?’
One fan claimed Bueckers is fearful of receiving the same rough treatment that Clark enjoyed, writing: ‘She is afraid of not being liked’.
Another commented: ‘Paige trying to have a nice smooth season with no problems. I can’t knock the hustle’.
Bueckers’ comments echo similar statements by Clark last season, when her arrival in the WNBA inspired a spike in the league’s viewership and attendance numbers.
Clark found herself at the center of a race storm during her first season and was hit with accusations that she was the victim of jealousy and bullying.
The Indiana Fever star first addressed the topic of race in the WNBA in December when she was named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, acknowledging the ‘white privilege’ that fell her way as she entered the league and drove up the interest levels.
She then doubled down on her comments during her interview with David Letterman.
Clark said the WNBA has ‘been built on’ black players and that ‘as a white person, there is privilege’.
The comments sparked controversy online with the likes of OutKick founder Clay Travis and Dave Portnoy criticizing the Indiana Fever superstar.
Jason Whitlock abandoned his support of Clark in a hysterical meltdown, claiming her comments left him in tears, while conservative activist Riley Gaines also weighed in on the debate.
Megan Rapinoe said the fiery reaction to Clark’s comments ‘says a lot’ about America’s views on race while commentator and podcaster Megyn Kelly bemoaned Clark’s ‘self-flagellation’.