The UConn Huskies Paige Bueckers and the former Iowa Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark have been in each other’s orbit for years. The two leading ladies of college basketball have brushed past each other for a long time. Their interaction has made for some of the most entertaining college basketball games.

From AAU tournaments to Team USA practices, and with shared experiences of winning gold medals and sinking deep 3s, these two are familiar with each other’s basketball skills.

 

 

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4 best moments of Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark together.4 best moments of Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark together.

 

So, let’s look at four times when Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark’s unique relationship shone through, as per a compilation video on Instagram uploaded by a Paige Bueckers fan account. The video features several snippets of their interaction.

 

#1 Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark on Team USA

Clark and Bueckers were part of the star-studded 2019 USA U-19 FIBA roster. The team was able to carve through the 2019 FIBA U-29 Women’s Basketball World Cup and win a gold medal. In the first clip, a mischievous Clark was seen pushing Paige and then hugging her.

#2 Iowa vs. Uconn Sweet 16 matchup in 2021

The second clip is from the above Instagram video of the Iowa Hawkeyes playing against the UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen matchup of the 2021 NCAA tournament. The Paige Bueckers-led team won against the Hawkeyes in a thrilling 92-72 showdown.

Paige and Clark were seen playfully nudging each other throughout the game. After UConn’s eventual win, the two hugged each other.

#3 Paige opens up about her relationship with Clark

The Hawkeyes and the Huskies battled against each other in this year’s Final Four tournament. Before UConn’s game against Iowa, Bueckers talked about her relationship with Clark. She spoke about Clark’s winning mindset and how talented of a hooper she is.

“I know Caitlin. Of course, we go way back,” Bueckers said ahead of their Final Four matchup. “Midwestern, we had a lot of battles in AAU and stuff like that, we played together on Team USA. She’s just a competitor. She wants to win. She has just intangibles of the game. She knows how to play, a great IQ.”

“I think the biggest thing about her is she competes and she’s just a winner, she wants to win at all costs.”

The positive words for her opponent reflect the sportsman spirit Paige possesses.

#4 Clark gave her assessment of Bucekers

Clark returned the favor by saying words of affirmation before the much-anticipated Final Four game. She highlighted her opponent’s best quality and also lauded her for being a hard-working player.

“I think the coolest thing about Paigeis how resilient she is,” Clarksaid. “Obviously, she’s kind of been dealt a tough hand. And you know, that girl only has positive things to say about her teammates. And the way she carries herself on and off the court, the way she works hard– none of that has changed since I’ve known her.”

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Edited by Abigail Kevichusa