Caitlin Clark was ‘set up for failure’ in WNBA says UConn coach Geno Auriemma who blames ‘delusional’ fans
UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma claimed that “delusional fans” are responsible for Caitlin Clark’s “failure” in the WNBA.
Despite putting a lot of focus into the competition when participating, 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.
In a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Auriemma expressed how the fans’ lack of ball skills and unrealistic expectations could be a catalyst for something catastrophic heading into the rookie’s career.
“If you’re a great college player like Caitlin, the delusion that follows her has disrespected the WNBA players by saying she’s going to play in that league and tear it apart,” the coach said.
“These people are so disrespectful, so ignorant and so stupid that it gives women’s basketball a bad name.”
UConn coach Geno Auriemma blamed ‘delusional’ fans for Caitlin Clark’s ‘failure’
Auriemma argued that fans had false expectations for Clark when she joined the WNBA
“So the child was set up for failure from the start,” he added.
To add to the physical appeal, Clark’s college rival and Chicago rookie Angel Reese has been actively pursuing the No. 1 overall pick.
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.
Still, Auriemma praised the WNBA’s newest star for rising to the challenges.
He also emphasized that as Clark adapts to the physicality of the pros, her skills will take over from there.
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
“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.”