Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark has been a standout in the 2024 WNBA season.
From her impressive debut against the Connecticut Sun to scoring 30 points against the Los Angeles Sparks, along with her expected rookie struggles, Clark has captivated attention.
Geno Auriemma, who has coached numerous WNBA luminaries at UConn such as Diana Taurasi, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart, recently discussed the physical challenges Clark has faced in her initial games.
“Is she encountering the usual rookie challenges? Absolutely,” Auriemma said during a press conference in Connecticut on Tuesday. “But it goes beyond that; she’s being deliberately targeted.”
A specific incident highlighted this concern during the Fever’s narrow 71–70 victory over the Chicago Sky. Chennedy Carter committed a harsh foul on Clark during a play away from the ball, which Clark later described as “not a basketball play.” Carter’s coach, Teresa Weatherspoon, also acknowledged the foul was “not appropriate.”
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Auriemma reflected on the experiences of past basketball greats, questioning why the physical targeting seemed more pronounced for Clark. “When [Michael] Jordan entered the [NBA], I don’t recall him being physically targeted like this. Neither were [Larry] Bird or Magic [Johnson] when they joined and lifted the NBA,” he noted.
“Why place the blame on her?” Auriemma continued, emphasizing the overdue recognition and growth of the WNBA. “It’s unfair to fault her just because she’s in a position many would envy but aren’t themselves.”
After an intense schedule of 11 games in less than three weeks, Clark and the Fever are taking a brief rest before facing the Washington Mystics on Friday night.
