Former University of Iowa standout Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall draft pick of the WNBA's Indiana Fever, appears to be reeling according to some experts and the star's own commentary.
“I feel like I'm being beaten,” Clark said in an interview with WTHR's Dominic Miranda. “I just… I don't know.”
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During a recent game against the Seattle Storm, Clark was visibly frustrated by what she perceived as missed calls by the refs. The most notable instance came late in the third quarter when he appeared to be fouled on a missed layup attempt, but no foul was called.
Caitlin Clark and Victoria Vivians exchanged words after CC hit a three 👀
Both received technical fouls pic.twitter.com/tlvzkB9YqC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2024
Clark's reaction to the physical nature of the WNBA contrasts with other rookies like Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. After being fouled by Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas, Reese responded by thanking the veteran and inviting more challenges.
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Despite the physical challenges, Clark has shown resilience, often noting that opponents “get away with it” a lot. However, less than ten games into his career, the discussion has shifted to whether he's getting the calls he deserves, overshadowing his performance on the court.
Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides has backed Clark. “Caitlin is learning, she's fighting,” Sides said in a recent interview. “Every 40 minutes he's in the game, on both ends, he's taking a beating.”
While Clark has voiced his frustrations, he has generally maintained his composure. After a brief moment of visible frustration, it was Sides who took the initiative, receiving a technical foul after expressing his displeasure to the referees. Some observers believe Clark's emotional intensity contributes to her challenges, as evidenced by a technical foul she received Thursday against the Storm's Victoria Vivians.
Clark's presence on the team hasn't resulted in many wins for the Fever yet, but her performance has been impressive and her ceiling in the world of professional women's basketball remains sky-high.
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