This weekend, several top contenders aiming to represent the United States in the 2028 Olympics are convening at Duke University for a multi-day minicamp. Among the participants at the Team USA camp are Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers.
On the camp’s opening day, during a scrimmage, Paige Bueckers showcased her skills by side-stepping Caitlin Clark to sink a three-point shot—a play that might hint at exciting moments to come in the 2026 WNBA season, marking the Buccaneers’ second year in the league.
Bueckers, who was the number one overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, earned Rookie of the Year honors and was selected for the All-Star team, an accolade Clark also received during his rookie year. Additionally, Bueckers made the All-WNBA Second Team.
Throughout the season, Bueckers played in 36 games, averaging just over 33 minutes per game. She posted notable stats with 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 47.7% from the field, 33.1% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 88.8% from the free-throw line.
Other WNBA players at the camp alongside Bueckers and Clark included Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young from the Las Vegas Aces, Kelsey Plum, Rikea Jackson, and Cameron Brink from the Los Angeles Sparks, Carlea Copper from the Phoenix Mercury, Veronica Barton from the Golden State Valkyries, Kiki Iriafen and Sonja Citron from the Washington Mystics, Ariya Boston of the Washington Mystics, Breonna Jones from the Atlanta Dream, and Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky. College players Lauren Betts from UCLA and JuJu Watkins from USC were the only collegiate invitees.
Fan Take: This event spotlights the incredible talent pool shaping the future of the WNBA and Team USA’s Olympic hopes, offering fans a thrilling preview of the skills and competitiveness on the horizon. It underscores the growing prominence of women’s basketball and its rising stars who are destined to leave a lasting impact on the sport.
