Caitlin Clark will face a ‘transition period’ in WNBA, claims UConn legend Diana Taurasi, as retired star warns ‘reality is coming’ for Iowa’s two-time Player of the Year

Caitlin Clark has dominated women’s basketball for four seasons, but she will have a tougher time in the WNBA, according to Diana Taurasi, who claimed the Iowa star faces a “transition period” in the pros.

Clark, whose Hawkeyes will play in the national championship game for the second straight year on Sunday, is the two-time reigning AP Women’s Player of the Year, the all-time leading scorer in Division 1 (men’s or women’s) and presumptive No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Still, Taurasi – a UConn and pro legend himself – believes Clark will initially struggle in the WNBA.

“Reality is setting in, there are levels to this thing,” she told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter when asked about Clark and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso jumping to the pros.

“And that’s just life, we’ve all been through it… You look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come (play) with some grown women who have been playing professional basketball for a long time.

But Diana Taurasi (right) thinks there will be a “transition period” for her in the WNBA

“I’m not saying it won’t translate, because if you’re good at what you do, you’ll only get better,” Taurasi added. “But there comes a transition period where you have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”

Taurasi’s comments came after Clark and Iowa defeated UConn and Paige Bueckers 71-69 in the Final Four on Friday.

And earlier in the evening, Taurasi again had some strong words for Clark: proverb she would “absolutely” take over Bueckers with the first pick in the WNBA Draft.

Clark finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Iowa on Friday night.

Bueckers, meanwhile, had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Clark and Iowa face South Carolina in the national championship on Sunday.