The Huskies head coach compared Clark’s situation to the arrival of Magic and Bird to the NBA.
Geno Auriemma said he was in disbelief at the treatment of Caitlin Clark.
Legendary UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has sparked a firestorm with his recent comments, claiming that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is being unfairly targeted during her debut season in the WNBA.
Auriemma’s remarks follow an incident involving Clark and Chicago Sky forward Chennedy Carter. During Saturday’s game, Carter shoulder-checked Clark from behind in the third quarter, sending her sprawling to the floor.
Initially deemed a common foul, the league later upgraded it to a flagrant foul and fined Carter $1,000. The altercation has fueled heated discussions across the sports world.
“Is she (Clark) facing the rookie challenge, the rookie hardships that are inherent with being a rookie? Yes,” Auriemma said Wednesday. “She’s also being targeted.”
The Clark-Carter incident
Carter’s actions came during a heated exchange, but her coach, Teresa Weatherspoon, was quick to address the situation. “Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game,” Weatherspoon said in a statement. “She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are.”
Carter herself showed no remorse, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s all love outside of basketball. When we’re in those four lines, it’s smoke. After, it’s all love.”
Clark has chosen to remain mostly silent on the incident, focusing instead on her game. She’s currently averaging 15.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. Despite her impressive stats, the Fever are struggling with a 2-9 record and recently suffered a 104-68 defeat against the New York Liberty.
Jordan, Magic, and Bird compared to Clark
Auriemma, however, sees a bigger issue at play. Comparing Clark to NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, he argued that they did not face the same level of targeting when they entered the league. “I don’t remember when Jordan came into the NBA, guys looking to go out and beat him up,” Auriemma said.
“I don’t remember when Bird and Magic came into the league and elevated the NBA, them getting targeted and beat up just because of who they were and the attention they were getting,”UConn HC stressed.
Auriemma’s comments underscore the heightened scrutiny and physicality that Clark has faced. “Appreciate the fact that now’s the time for the WNBA. I get it. It’s long overdue. Why are you blaming that kid? It’s not her fault, because you would trade places with her in a minute, but you are not there. You’re not her. So you’re [complaining] that she’s getting what she’s getting.”
As the debate rages on, Clark’s focus remains on her performance and growth in the league, even as the challenges and pressures continue to mount.
