UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma thinks Caitlin Clark being ‘targeted’ during her rookie season in the WNBA.
Despite bringing a lot of attention to the league with her arrival, Clark has not received a warm welcome from her teammates. The narrative expanded after Chicago’s Chennedy Carter bodychecked Clark during their game on June 2.
While speaking with media in Connecticut, Auriemma admitted that, while the hardships of being a rookie are inevitable, Clark also has a bullseye on her back from other players.
‘Is she enduring the rookie challenge, the trials that come with being a rookie? “Yes,” Auriemma stated before the UConn Coaches Road Show on Tuesday. ‘She is also being targeted.’
To add to the increased roughness, Clark’s collegiate nemesis and Chicago rookie Angel Reese has openly taken shots at the No. 1 overall pick.
Aside from targeting Clark on social media during a May victory over the New York Liberty, Reese said she welcomed being the ‘bad guy’ after applauding Carter for slamming her shoulder into the former Iowa star.
Auriemma also referenced other high-profile collegiate athletes who have transitioned to the pros and how their teammates have reacted. He then emphasized that Clark’s cold reception is more intense than others.
‘I don’t remember when [Michael] Jordan came into the [NBA], guys wanting to go out and beat him up,’ Auriemma stated. ‘I don’t recall [Larry] Bird and Magic [Johnson] being targeted and beaten up just because of who they were and how much attention they received.
‘I appreciate that this is the moment [for the WNBA]. I got it. It is long overdue. Why are you blaming the kid? It is not her fault; you would swap places with her in a minute, but you are not present. You are not her. So you’re [complaining] about what she’s getting.
In contrast to Auriemma’s statements, Liberty star and reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart believed that physicality is universal and something all players must adapt to.
Stewart was the No. 1 overall choice in 2016 and won four national championships at UConn under Auriemma.
“This is the best league in the world. “Nobody is going to give you anything easy,” Stewart stated. ‘[It’s about] knowing that and learning how to deal with it at this level. They’re the fastest, strongest, and quickest. That is why this is called the WNBA.
‘Continue to pay attention to what we do and recognize that we are attempting to deliver our best basketball. When we play against other teams, we definitely want to win. But as a group, we’re working to make this league a better environment overall.
Auriemma also praised Clark for handling the not-so-smooth transfer on The Dan Patrick Show.
‘I think she’s handling it well,’ Auriemma added. ‘I believe she says a lot of s*** and gets a lot of s*** back.
‘She deserves all she gets because she gives as good as she receives. She’s simply not built for the physicality of this game, and she’s not quick enough to get away from it.
‘When she gets it, she has exceptional skills that will benefit her,’ Auriemma said. ‘She needs to be on a better squad and gain experience.’
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