Caitlin Clark.
A name within sports that we have more than any other over the past year.
If you have not heard of Ms. Clark, she became the highest scoring college basketball scorer in history last winter while closing out her career at the University of Iowa. She single handedly introduced women’s basketball to millions and millions of Americans. Those who watched Clark saw a shooter with range like Steph Curry, passing skills like Magic Johnson, and the competitive nature of Michael Jordan.
I guess I could be exaggerating a tad, but her skills keep bringing eyes to the television sets.
Clark was the first player chosen in the WNBA draft and is now a rookie for the Indianapolis Fever. Though the franchise has struggled, Clark has more than held her own on the court.
All the success has led to current and former WNBA players being obviously jealous of Clark’s success. Past players talk of how her game will not translate to the professional level. Current players also talk negatively of Clark. She is getting roughed up by opposing players to the point that no one in the league has been fouled more.
The jealousy is so obvious that both the fans and the media have noticed and taken to social media to Clark’s defense.
Caitlin Clark
I do not understand this way of thinking. The WNBA needs attention and money. Clark has brought the league sell-outs and record ratings on TV. This will lead to bigger salaries and notoriety to the rest of the league. One change that already has taken place is that the teams now fly on chartered planes versus commercial. Future television contracts will lead to higher salaries. All the players win.
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird brought similar attention to the NBA back in the day. Tiger Woods did it to the sport of golf.
There was some jealousy back then. But nothing like this with Clark. Lip readers are having a field day counting the times Clark is called the B word during games by opponents.
This past week, Clark was back in the news after taking a hip check that knocked her to the court before the ball was even inbounded. Chicago Sky player, Chennedy Carter, delivered the dirty foul while calling Clark the B word again. Another Sky player, Angel Reese, Clark’s former college rival and fellow WNBA rookie, cheered the play.
Jealousy.
There are many women who’ve brought the sport to the place it was before Clark joined the WNBA. Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Tina Charles, Sheryl Swoopes and Sue Bird come to mind for me.
But Clark is in a position to bring it to another level. If she does, it may take some time, but even the pettiest and most jealous among the petty and jealous will realize that Clark isn’t a threat to them but a ticket to a better life for them.
