Caitlin Clark (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The spotlight on Caitlin Clark during her rookie season may be brighter than ever on a WNBA player.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar is finding out the hard way that things are not going to come easy for her in her rookie campaign in the WNBA. On Friday night, she was reminded of that as the Indiana Fever took on the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
Early in the second quarter, Aces star Alysha Clark became enraged after she was called for a foul following Clark’s attempt to drive to the basket and score.
Clark took a huge hit to her face and got two free throws because of it.
Several pictures from that game show just how brutal that foul was. They show Alysha Clark with her right hand on Caitlin Clark’s neck, ripping her to the floor from behind.
A’ja Wilson, who led the Las Vegas Aces to a 99-80 victory over the Indiana Fever on Saturday night, demonstrated why she is perhaps the finest player in the league right now with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Rookie Caitlin Clark may be the WNBA’s future, but she witnessed in real-time what a superstar looks like.
In addition to her eight points on 2-of-8 shooting (2 of 5 from the 3-point range), Clark also had six turnovers, five rebounds, and seven assists, via ESPN.com. Coming in with an average of 16.7 points, it was Clark’s lowest point total as a professional.
Caitlin Clark Shared Heartbreaking Admission About Her Personal Life Amid Tough Professional Start To Her Career
Caitlin Clark (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It’s challenging for Caitlin Clark to lead the typical life she formerly knew because she is constantly harassed by fans and the media.
She recently spoke on that fact.
“Honestly, I feel like I talk to the media more than I get to talk to my own family … which is really kind of sad, in a way,” Clark said during a press conference earlier this week. “It’s a lot for somebody that’s 22 years old. It can be tough at times.”
Being unable to talk with family makes this tough season even worse.
The WNBA didn’t do Clark and the Fever any favors with the early schedule. The team just had their seventh game in 12 days and third in four.
Cavinder Twins Didn’t Hold Back While Revealing Their Thoughts On Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark and Cavinder Twins (Photo via Getty Images)
University of Miami women’s basketball stars Haley and Hanna Cavinder joined OutKick‘s “Hot Mic” to talk about Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s basketball.
After the Indiana Fever selected former Iowa standout Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick in last month’s draft, there has been much discussion over her influence on the WNBA and the development of women’s basketball.
The answer to Haley and Hanna Cavinder is pretty clear, and no debate is necessary.
Haley Cavinder spoke highly of Clark, saying she’s a player that only comes around once in a generation.
“I think Caitlin Clark is a once-in-a-lifetime player,” Cavinder said. “What she’s done for the game over the last year is insanely good for women’s basketball, such as the viewership and revenue. People are way more intrigued by it. You can tell by the March Madness viewership.
“What she’s done as a whole – everybody will miss her. She’s fun to watch.”
“She’s fun to watch. Everyone wants to watch her,” Haley continued.
“I think she’s amazing, and that’s why people want to watch. And that’s what grows the game. Even going into the women’s NBA, I don’t think I’ve ever watched women’s NBA more because Caitlin Clark’s in that league. I think what she’s doing for the game is great for women’s basketball.”
The Indiana Fever’s rising star, Clark, has captured fans with her unmatched skill and charisma on the court. She has also revived interest in women’s basketball around the country.
Some people have questioned Caitlin Clark’s WNBA ascent. A’ja Wilson, a star for the Las Vegas Aces, reportedly implied that race had a big part in Clark’s appeal. Later, Becky Hammon, Wilson’s coach, ordered the media to “knock it off” in regards to the racial storyline but later explained that her remarks were being “misconstrued.”
Since 2001, the most watched WNBA game was Clark’s professional debut with the Indiana Fever. That followed her being the star of the last three games of Iowa’s most recent March Madness tournament—three of the four most-watched women’s NCAA tournaments ever.
Caitlin Clark Signs Multiyear Deal With Wilson Sporting Goods
Caitlin Clark (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Clark agreed to a multiyear contract with Wilson Sporting Goods in May in order to create a trademark basketball line, per The AP. In addition, the top choice in the WNBA draft will evaluate, counsel, and offer comments on a variety of Wilson basketball equipment.
