UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma claims Caitlin Clark is ‘targeted’ in her rookie season in the WNBA.
Despite putting a lot of focus into the competition when she entered, Clark hasn’t received the warmest of welcomes from her fellow players. The story grew when Chicago’s Chennedy Carter bodychecked Clark during their match on June 2.
While addressing reporters in Connecticut, Auriemma acknowledged that while the challenges of being a rookie are inherent, Clark also has a target for other players.
“Is she facing the rookie challenge, the hardships inherent in being a rookie? Yes,” Auriemma said Tuesday before the UConn Coaches Road Show. “She’s also being targeted.”
To add to the physical appeal, Clark’s college rival and Chicago rookie Angel Reese has been actively pursuing the No. 1 overall pick.
Geno Auriemma claimed that Caitlin Clark is being targeted by other players in the WNBA
The UConn coach cited other high-profile players not getting beat up as rookies
In addition to targeting Clark on social media after a win over the New York Liberty in May, Reese said she embraced being the “bad guy” after cheering on Carter for shouldering the former Iowa star thrown.
Additionally, Auriemma cited other examples of high-profile collegiate stars transitioning to the pros and how they were received by peers. He then pointed out that Clark’s not-so-warm welcome is more extreme than others.
‘I don’t remember when [Michael] Jordan came into the [NBA], guys who want to beat him up,” Auriemma said. ‘I don’t remember when [Larry] Bird and magic [Johnson] came into the league and elevated the NBA, being targeted and beaten up just because of who they were and the attention they received.
“Appreciate the fact that this is the moment [for the WNBA]. I understand. It’s a long time ago. Why are you blaming that child? It’s not her fault, because you would love to trade places with her, but you’re not there. You are not her. So you are [complaining] that she gets what she gets.”
Clark was brutally controlled by Chicago’s Chennedy Carter during their June 2 confrontation
Auriemma credited Clark with successfully meeting the challenges of her rookie season
The Fever got off to a rough start with a 2-9 record and were 11th in the WNBA standings
Contrary to Auriemma’s comments, Liberty star and reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart emphasized that physicality is universal and something all players must adapt to.
Stewart was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 and won four national titles with Auriemma at UConn.
‘This is the best competition in the world. No one is going to give you anything easy,” Stewart said. ‘[It’s about] understanding that and learning how to play through it at this level. They are the fastest, the strongest, the fastest. That’s why this is the WNBA.
“Keep paying attention to what we’re doing, understand that we’re trying to bring our best basketball. When we play against other teams, we obviously try to win. But as a collective, we’re trying to take this league all the way to a better place.”
Liberty star and WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart emphasized that the physicality is part of the game
Stewart was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 and won four NCAA titles with Auriemma at UConn
Auriemma also acknowledged how Clark handled the not-so-smooth transition on The Dan Patrick Show.
“I think she’s handling it well,” Auriemma said. “I think she talks a lot of nonsense, and she gets a lot of nonsense back.
“She deserves everything she gets because she gives as good as she gets. She’s just not built for the physicality of this competition, and she’s not fast enough to get away from the physicality.”
“If she gets it, she has elite skills that will help her,” Auriemma added. “She needs to get on a better team, and she needs experience.”