Caitlin Clark’s rookie season has been marked by historic offensive feats, fierce defensive plays from rivals, and her notable exclusion from the U.S. Olympic team.
Clark’s transition from a record-setting NCAA career at Iowa to the WNBA has not gone unnoticed. Fans who followed her collegiate success have quickly recognized the more physical side of her professional game. This season, Clark has faced several controversial fouls, including a notorious illegal hip check from Chicago Sky forward Chennedy Carter on June 1 and a head hit from Sky rookie and college rival Angel Reese on June 16.
In addition to these incidents, Clark has encountered subtle physical plays and trash talk both on and off the court. Chicago Sky coach Theresa Witherspoon remarked on June 27, “Nobody talks more crap than Caitlin,” highlighting the competitive edge Clark brings.
ESPN women’s basketball commentator Holly Rowe, a longtime supporter of Clark, views this challenging reception as beneficial for both the player and the league.
“I love it because it’s supposed to be competitive… I love that people are kind of talking smack and saying, ‘Hey, you need to prove yourself!’” Rowe told Fox News Digital. “I kind of love it because it is supposed to be salty, that’s why it’s competitive, that’s why it’s sports.”
Rowe believes this tough reception is a positive development for the game.
Despite the adversity, Clark has continued to excel, setting several records during her rookie season. Rowe highlighted Clark’s achievement of breaking the rookie record for assists in a season with her 225th assist on August 18 against the Seattle Storm, surpassing Ticha Penicheiro’s 1998 record.
Clark has also set records for the fastest player to reach 400 points and 200 assists, the most assists in a game with 19, the most combined points scored or assisted in a game, and the most All-Star votes with 700,000. She also became the first rookie to record a triple-double.
“When she has proven herself and has played well, then those same veterans are the ones that come up and congratulate her,” Rowe said.
Rowe compared Clark’s situation to Angel Reese’s, noting how Reese has publicly stated a desire for a tough challenge from veterans.
“She said, ‘I don’t want them to be easy on me, I want it to be hard,'” Rowe said. “She’s only going to be the best version of herself if those veterans are coming at her making it hard.”
Clark has been in stellar form recently, scoring at least 20 points in five of her last six games. Over this stretch, she’s averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting and 11.7 assists. Indiana will face Minnesota on Saturday, aiming to strengthen their playoff position.
