Clark gets rough welcome to pros

Women’s basketball is getting much more attention these days than it ever has in the past, and most of that attention is due to Caitlin Clark, the rookie WNBA sensation who won over thousands of new fans through her exploits on the court as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes over the past couple of years. Clark could seemingly do it all, from passing to her trademark logo-depth threes to rebounding, and twice took her team deep into the NCAA tournament, including this past year when the Hawkeyes lost in the national championship game to South Carolina.
Following that record-setting career, including being the all-time NCAA scoring leader regardless of sex, Clark was made the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. Clark is supremely talented, but taking her first overall was as much about putting butts in the seats at games as it was taking her to lead the team to a title. Even casual and borderline disinterested fans know who Caitlin Clark is, so it was a no-brainer to take her first to generate interest in the team.
With that title of first overall pick also comes great responsiblity, which is something else Clark of course is no stranger to. She has had a bright spotlight shining on her now for two years, and it seems to only get hotter as we go. However, having all that attention and accolades showered upon you is also sure to bring some jealousy and resentment, and we are seeing that manifest on the courts of the WNBA.
Caitlin is being subjected to some very physical play out on the court as players try to show her that in the pros she isn’t going to just have her way ever game. Never was that more evident than during the Fever’s recent game against the Chicago Sky, when Clark was shoulder-checked from behind by guard Chennedy Carter before the ball was inbounded. Clark was knocked down in what was a non-basketball play and was initially ruled a common foul, but it was upgraded to a flagrant foul 1 by the WNBA upon review.
To her credit, Clark didn’t complain or react, but rather said she grew up with brothers and was ready for physical play.
“Is she facing the rookie challenge, the rookie hardships that are inherent with being a rookie? Yes,” legendary women’s college basketball coach Geno Auriemma told reporters in Connecticut before the UConn Coaches Road Show recently. “She’s also being targeted.”
It would be in the WNBA’s best interest to protect Clark. Clark is bringing with her unprecedented interested in the WNBA and women’s basketball in general. Allowing players around the league to beat her up with non-basketball bullying isn’t going to benefit the league, particulary if she is injured due to a cheap shot. Whether the players like it or not, Clark is now likely the face of the league, at least to many people.
Nobody is saying to take it easy on Clark, but keep the play between the lines. Having Clark in the WNBA is nothing but a positive that will benefit all players, including those intent on knocking her down.