UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma says Caitlin Clark is being “a target” in her rookie season in the WNBA.
Despite attracting a lot of attention around the league upon his entry, Clark has not received the warmest welcome from his teammates. The narrative grew when Chicago’s Chennedy Carter checked on Clark during their game 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 on his back for other players.
‘Are you facing the rookie challenge, the difficulties inherent in being a rookie? Yes,” Auriemma said before the UConn Coaches Road Show on Tuesday. “She’s being attacked too.”
To add to the amplified physicality, Clark’s college rival and Chicago rookie Angel Reese has been actively attacking the No. 1 overall pick.
Geno Auriemma claimed that Caitlin Clark is being attacked by other WNBA players
The UConn coach cited how other high-profile players weren’t getting “beaten up” as rookies.
In addition to taking aim at Clark on social media after a win over the New York Liberty in May, Reese said he agreed to be the “bad guy” after cheering on Carter for throwing the shoulder at the former Iowa star.
Additionally, Auriemma mentioned other cases of high-profile college stars turning pro and their reception by their peers. She then pointed out that Clark’s not-so-warm welcome is more extreme than others.
“I don’t remember when (Michael) Jordan came to the (NBA), guys were looking to go out and beat him up,” Auriemma said. “I don’t remember when (Larry) Bird and Magic (Johnson) came into the league and elevated the NBA, being attacked and beaten just because of who they were and the attention they were getting.
‘I appreciate the fact that now is the time (for the WNBA). I understand. It should have been done a long time ago. Why do you blame that child? It’s not her fault, because you’d trade places with her in a minute, but you’re not there. You are not her. So, you’re complaining that she’s getting what she’s getting.’
Clark was brutally checked by Chicago’s Chennedy Carter in their June 2 matchup.
Auriemma credited Clark for taking the challenges of his rookie season in stride.
The Fever are off to a rough start with a 2-9 record, ranking 11th in the WNBA standings.
In contrast to Auriemma’s comments, Liberty star and reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart insisted that physique is universal and something all players must adapt to.
Stewart was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 and won four national titles at UConn under Auriemma.
“This is the best league in the world. Nobody is going to give you anything easy,” Stewart said. ‘(It’s about) understanding that and learning how to play it at this level. They’re the fastest, the strongest, the quickest. That’s why this is the WNBA.
‘Continue to pay attention to what we do, understand that we are trying to play 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 to a completely better place.”
Liberty star and WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart insisted physicality is part of the game.
Stewart was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 and won four NCAA titles under Auriemma at UConn.
Auriemma also acknowledged how Clark has handled the not-so-smooth transition on The Dan Patrick Show.
“I think he’s handling it very well,” Auriemma said. “I think she talks a lot of shit and gets a lot of shit in return.
‘She deserves everything she gets because she gives it as well as she receives it. She’s just not cut out for the physicality of this league and she’s not quick enough to move away from the physicality.
“When she gets it, she will have elite skills to help her,” Auriemma added. “She needs to be on a better team and she needs experience.”