Shepard Dropped a Bar, & Now Paige Bueckers  Fans Are Fighting for Their Lives

A Jessica Shepard quote sparked the beef and WNBA Twitter turned into First Take.

The Quote Heard Round the Timeline

Minnesota beat Golden State. Everyone exhaled. The postgame press conference started. And then Jessica Shepard leaned into the mic and triggered a league-wide jumper debate:

“Everyone knows that Courtney is the best mid range player in the game.”

The timeline didn’t react — it combusted.

UConn Nation turned into a crime scene investigation unit. Paige Bueckers stans started building scatter plots like it was their thesis. Courtney Williams fans dusted off old clips like mixtape evidence. By the time the quote finished going viral, the replies were louder than the game.

Shepard didn’t drop a take. She lit the fuse.

The Queen of the Quiet Cook

Let’s be real: Paige Bueckers doesn’t need anyone to speak for her. Her stats already have publicists.

18.7 PPG (8th in the W)

5.7 APG (6th)

1.8 SPG (3rd)

2.7 midrange makes/game (most in the WNBA)

46.9% from midrange

She’s the only player in the entire league who ranks top 10 in points, assists, and steals. That’s not just all-around — that’s unbothered excellence.

Since returning from injury, she’s basically averaged a TED Talk:

21.8 PPG

5.0 APG

50/36/92% shooting splits

She’s the only player to average 20+ PPG and 5+ APG in June. And Vegas has her at -545 to win Rookie of the Year.

Paige doesn’t chase the moment. She owns it — one elbow jumper at a time.

The Midrange Problem Child

But here’s the thing: Courtney Williams isn’t wrong answer either.

She doesn’t live in spreadsheets. She lives in your grill. She lives at the elbow like she pays rent there. And she shoots with the confidence of someone who’s already edited the highlight reel.

2.5 midrange makes/game (2nd in WNBA)

38.9% FG from midrange

42% of her points come from that zone

She’s not just taking tough shots — she’s living off them. Need a parlay hit? She’s gone over 20.5 PRA in 7 of her last 9 home games.

Her season line?

12.8 PPG

6.1 APG

 

4.8 RPG

Last time out vs Golden State? She put up 30 PRA while dodging help defenders and memes.

Courtney doesn’t want your validation. She wants your ankles.

Real Hoopers Talk Different

Sometimes, stats tell the story. Sometimes the story leans over mid-game and checks you in real time.

After the first head-to-head with Paige Bueckers, Courtney got asked about the foul count (which sat at 11-2 at the time).

Her response?

“She told me to stop fouling.”
— Courtney Williams, casually ending world peace

That’s not just a quote. That’s midrange holy scripture. Paige wanted clarification.

Courtney gave her commandments.

In real time.

On the hardwood. During a game.

WNBA Twitter Has Entered the Chat

Once that Jessica Shepard quote hit the internet, WNBA Twitter turned into Thanksgiving dinner with stats and subtext.

Fan reactions came fast:

So Who Wins the Midrange Crown?

Let’s get to it.

Courtney Williams? Certified bucket. A professional elbow artisan. The best kind of hooper: unfiltered, unbothered, un-guardable when hot.

But right now?

It’s Paige.

She leads the league in midrange makes, shoots a higher percentage, and does it while carrying a rookie load on a team still figuring itself out. She’s winning games, winning polls, and winning the hearts of fans, coaches, and Vegas oddsmakers.

Courtney might have the vibe.

But Paige has the volume.

And right now, the midrange belongs to Bueckers.