Caitlin Clark’s Cup Victory Reignites Fiery 2020 Class Rivalry With Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese Now Chasing Championship Legacy

Caitlin Clark’s Cup Victory Reignites Fiery 2020 Class Rivalry With Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese Now Chasing Championship Legacy

Caitlin Clark’s recent triumph in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup has done more than just add hardware to her already glittering resume—it has reignited a rivalry that dates back to high school gyms, AAU tournaments, and the viral mixtape era of women’s basketball: the three-headed storyline of the 2020 recruiting class featuring Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. With Clark taking a commanding lead on the professional stage, the spotlight has returned to the original debate—who will ultimately define the golden generation of women’s basketball?

The 2020 class was hailed as transformational from the moment the rankings were released. Paige Bueckers, the silky-smooth guard from Minnesota, was the consensus No. 1. Angel Reese, the dominant forward from Maryland, wasn’t far behind. Caitlin Clark, known for her deep shooting and relentless scoring ability, was a certified bucket from Iowa. Together, the trio captivated fans long before they played a second of college basketball, building massive followings and fueling a cultural shift in how young women athletes were viewed, marketed, and celebrated.

Fast forward to 2024. Clark is not just a pro—she’s already a WNBA champion of sorts, winning the Commissioner’s Cup and doing it under the pressure of sky-high expectations. Her arrival into the league was met with unprecedented hype, media attention, and commercial demand. Yet with the weight of all that on her shoulders, she has delivered. Her team-first mentality, deep range, court vision, and fearlessness have made her the face of the new WNBA. And this latest accomplishment—the Cup victory—solidifies her as not only a star, but a winner.

For Paige Bueckers, the news of Clark’s triumph arrives as both inspiration and motivation. Once seen as the face of the 2020 class, Bueckers’ college career has been riddled with injuries that disrupted her rise just as it was taking off. Her freshman season at UConn was legendary—she won the Wooden Award, led the Huskies to a Final Four, and looked destined for greatness. Then came the setbacks: torn meniscus, stress fracture, long rehabs, and questions about whether she could regain her form.

Now, Bueckers is back at UConn with a vengeance. Her return to elite play during the 2024 season proved she still has the tools—elite court vision, scoring versatility, lockdown defense, and leadership that commands respect. But watching Clark capture the Cup may add fuel to the fire. Paige is a competitor through and through. She’s seen the headlines shift. She’s seen the spotlight tilt. And as she prepares for what’s likely her final collegiate season, her focus is sharpened by a renewed challenge: reclaiming her place atop the class of 2020 by leading UConn to a national title and positioning herself for professional stardom.

Meanwhile, Angel Reese is already making her own waves at the professional level. Drafted into the WNBA alongside Clark, Reese came in with her own legacy—an NCAA title with LSU, record-breaking double-doubles, and a relentless motor that made her one of college basketball’s most polarizing and dominant players. Known as the “Bayou Barbie,” Reese has leaned into the spotlight just as much as Clark but with a different flavor—grit, swagger, and physicality that have already made her a rebounding machine and fan favorite in the pros.

Reese’s journey has always been one of proving doubters wrong. From being underrated early in her college career to emerging as a national champion, she’s thrived off the noise. Clark’s Commissioner’s Cup title adds a new layer to the rivalry. Reese, competitive by nature, will see Clark’s success not as a challenge to diminish—but as a goal to exceed. The mutual respect is there, but so is the edge. These are players who don’t want to just coexist in the spotlight—they want to own it.

The dynamics between the three have always fascinated fans. Clark, the sniper and playmaker with fiery competitiveness. Bueckers, the poised magician with a smooth, controlled game. Reese, the relentless force in the paint with energy that radiates through every rebound and celebration. Their differences are as intriguing as their similarities, and now that all three are (or soon will be) professionals, the comparisons are intensifying again.

The Commissioner’s Cup has become more than just a midseason trophy—it’s a milestone. Clark’s name now lives in the WNBA history books alongside the game’s greats. The win validates the immense expectations placed upon her and further elevates her as the leader of her draft class. But more than that, it raises the bar for Bueckers and Reese. This isn’t a rivalry defined by animosity—it’s one born of mutual excellence. Each player pushes the others to be better. Each performance from one becomes a motivation for the others.

What makes this moment even more captivating is that the rivalry is now playing out on the biggest stages. No longer limited to college tournaments or social media debates, these athletes are shaping the future of the WNBA in real time. Clark’s success has helped attract more viewers, more merchandise sales, and more relevance for women’s basketball. That growth only benefits her peers. Bueckers and Reese will enter or continue in the league at a time when eyes are everywhere, and opportunities are multiplying.

Of course, there will be inevitable debates—who’s the best scorer, who’s the best leader, who’s the true face of the 2020 class? But perhaps the most accurate answer is: all of them, in different ways. They’ve each carved out unique paths, faced unique adversities, and brought unique energy to the game. Clark’s Cup victory is just the latest chapter in a rivalry that is still being written. What happens next—Bueckers’ final season at UConn, Reese’s full rookie campaign, and Clark’s playoff push—will only add to the legacy.

For fans, this is a dream scenario. Rarely does a generation of athletes live up to the hype. Even more rarely do they exceed it. The 2020 class is doing both. And with Clark already stacking trophies, the competition has been reignited in a way that feels personal, professional, and historic all at once.

Looking ahead, the potential for these three to become the WNBA’s central narrative over the next decade is not only possible—it’s likely. Imagine future Finals featuring Clark vs. Reese. Imagine All-Star Games where Bueckers and Clark duel from deep. Picture MVP races decided by who hits the most clutch shots, grabs the biggest rebounds, or carries their team the furthest.

It’s all coming. And it’s all built on a rivalry that started before most fans even knew their names.

Caitlin Clark’s Commissioner’s Cup victory has not just added another accomplishment to her resume—it’s re-lit the competitive fire among her peers. It’s reminded everyone that the class of 2020 isn’t done. In fact, it’s just getting started. With Paige Bueckers healthy, Angel Reese surging, and Clark continuing to make history, the next chapter of this rivalry promises to be the most thrilling yet.

They may wear different uniforms, play different styles, and represent different cities, but they all share one thing: the desire to be the best. And now, with the Commissioner’s Cup in Clark’s hands, the race to define a generation is officially back on.