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 college basketball for four seasons, but life will be more difficult for her in the WNBA, according to Diana Taurasi, who said the Iowa star will face a “transition period” in the pros.

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

Still, Taurasi, a UConn and pro legend in her own right, believes Clark will struggle initially in the WNBA.

“Reality is coming, there are levels to this,” he told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter, when asked about South Carolina’s Clark and Kamilla Cardoso’s jump to the pro ranks.

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

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

“I’m not saying it won’t translate, because when you’re good at what you do, you’ll just get better,” Taurasi added. “But there will be a transition period where you’ll have to cut yourself some slack 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 that night, Taurasi once again had some strong words for Clark: saying she would ‘absolutely’ take Bueckers with the first pick in the WNBA Draft.

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

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

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