WNBA Draft pick Paige Bueckers, who went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, is instantly one of the most marketable players in the league.

Bueckers, like 2024 WNBA Draft No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, dominated at the college level for several years. They are household names by the time they get to the league. The same could be said of Angel Reese.

The former UConn Huskies star, though, believes that white privilege is at play, too.

Bueckers admitted that she believes white privilege is a major factor in how the WNBA and its top players are covered.

Paige Bueckers at the WNBA Draft.

Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Bueckers believes that more coverage and opportunities are needed for the league’s top Black players.

“It’s still an issue, every single day,” the Dallas Wings rookie told Time magazine in an interview. “There’s not ever equal coverage.”

“There’s White privilege every single day that I see,” she said in terms of marketing opportunities. “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.

Fans Notice Paige Bueckers Being Treated Differently Than Caitlin Clark During WNBA Debut - Athlon Sports

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.”

Clark made a similar comment last year.

“I definitely have privilege,” Clark said on Netflix’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.”

“I’m obviously White but I think … I’m somebody that grew up a huge fan of this league. I grew up watching this league, going to games, supporting this league. So, I know where this league comes from.

“A lot of Black women that grew up making this league what it is. That’s kind of the shoulders that we stand on. So, I think that was something I’m very aware of and something I’m very thankful for.

And they definitely deserve all the credit and the more we can give credit to them, the better. I’m very aware of that and I know that and I think there is responsibility in acknowledging that.”

Paige Bueckers is committed to using her WNBA platform to uplift Black women

Clark wants to think that she’s earned everything she’s got, but she says her race plays a role, too.

“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a White person, there is privilege,” Clark told Time. “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.

“The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”

The 2025 WNBA regular season is scheduled to begin later in May.