The future of USA women’s basketball is taking shape, and it features the dynamic duo fans can’t stop debating: Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. Both stars have secured spots on the prestigious 18 player roster for the upcoming national team training camp, set to run from December 12 to 14 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
The training camp, overseen by Coach Kara Lawson, is a crucial step in preparing for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin, where Team USA aims to defend its championship title. Following her absence from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Clark makes her return to the national team structure.
Joining the newcomers are several decorated veterans, including five Olympic gold medalists from the recent Games in France: Jackie Young, Brittney Griner, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Kahleah Copper. Dearica Hamby, a bronze medalist in 3×3 basketball from the same Olympics, is also on the list.
The inclusion of Clark and Bueckers, two of the WNBA’s brightest lights, is particularly noteworthy. They are joined by six other players who will be making their senior national team camp debuts: Cameron Brink, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson, and Angel Reese.
The Inevitable Rivalry: A Teammate Weighs In
The parallel careers of Clark and Bueckers have fueled intense fan speculation since they both entered college basketball in 2020. Their professional trajectories have only intensified the comparisons, with both winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in their respective inaugural seasons and incredibly, both averaging an identical 19.2 points per game as rookies.
While Bueckers has previously expressed her belief that the comparisons are unnecessary, the statistical overlap and shared history ensure the debate about who is superior will persist throughout their careers. The silver lining is that they will now likely collaborate on the same Team USA squads for years to come.
Further fueling the conversation are the two most recent WNBA All-Rookie teams. Clark was part of the 2024 class alongside Leonie Fiebich, Rickea Jackson, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cardoso. Bueckers led the 2025 class, which featured Sonia Citron, Janelle Salaün, Kiki Iriafen, and Dominique Malonga.
During a recent discussion on their Post Moves podcast, WNBA star Aliyah Boston and commentator Candace Parker reviewed these rookie classes. When prompted by Parker to pick a winner between Clark and Bueckers for the point guard position, Boston’s answer was swift and unsurprising.
“My girl Caitlin, what?” Boston stated, adding, “You knew that!”
As Clark’s teammate and friend on the Indiana Fever, Boston’s choice was predictable and safely avoided creating any internal team controversy.
Boston continued the comparison, leaning toward Rickea Jackson over Sonia Citron, though she noted the decision was extremely close. She also suggested that Angel Reese and Kiki Iriafen would create, “One heck of a matchup.”
In the end, both Boston and Parker concluded that the 2024 rookie class currently holds a slight advantage, though Parker confidently asserted that the 2025 class possesses the potential to surpass them in the future. The sheer volume of talent across both groups is a clear indicator of the WNBA’s exceptional health and exciting future.
