Speaking ahead of UConn and Iowa’s Final Four matchup, Clark noted that both she and Bueckers’ have games that are similar but at the same time “very different.”
"Her game is just so smooth, she's fun to watch," Clark said of Bueckers. "She moves effortlessly out there like it's just so natural. Then she additionally works really hard at it. Paige has always been one of the most dominant players, that has never changed. She's always been able to go up against the best."
Clark also said she's in awe of Buecker's resilience. While Clark’s NCAA career has gone relatively smoothly from an injury standpoint, Bueckers has spent much of the last four years injured – including missing last year with an ACL tear.
“The coolest thing about Paige is how resilient she is,” Clark said. “Obviously she’s kind of been dealt a tough hand. … 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 since she was in middle school, she’s always worked that same way. She’s always had that fire, she’s always been a great leader.
“I really couldn’t be happier for her and the year that she’s had and the way she’s led [UConn] back to the Final Four.”
Bueckers was equally complimentary of Clark, who she calls “a winner.”
"She's just a competitor," Bueckers said of Clark. "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."
