Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark has quickly turned into a star at the collegiate level, which has most assuming that she will very similarly soon take over the WNBA. However, one WNBA star in particular believes that Clark has a harsh reality ahead of her if she believes she is going to step into the WNBA and become an instant star.
Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi was once in Clark’s position, a star coming out of UConn eager to take the WNBA by storm. She had no problem translating over quite well, averaging 19.2 points per game in her rookie season in the league.
But according to Taurasi, Clark is going to get hit with “reality” once she enters the WNBA, saying that “looking superhuman against 18-year-olds” won’t look the same at the WNBA level.
“Look SVP, reality is coming,” said Taurasi after Iowa’s win over UConn on Saturday of Clark. “You know, there is levels to this thing. And that’s just life, we’ve all been through it. You see it on the NBA side, and you’re going to see it on this side. You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time. Not saying it’s not gonna translate. Because when you are great at what you do, it’s just gonna get better. But there is gonna be a transition period where you’re gonna need to give yourself some grace as a rookie. It might take a little bit longer for some people.”
Diana Taurasi on Caitlin Clark coming to WNBA "Reality is coming….you look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds but you're going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time" pic.twitter.com/fxBxGoRZCS
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 6, 2024
There may be some elements of truth coming from Taurasi here. But for most fans, it sure seems like Clark is far different than any other player we have seen at the women’s college basketball level in quite some time.
Will Clark prove Taurasi wrong and translate seamlessly to the WNBA? Only time will tell, but Taurasi clearly doesn’t believe that it will be an easy process for her.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.