Paul Pierce makes bold Caitlin Clark statement live on Undisputed as ex-NBA star claims he was ‘mesmerized’

FORMER NBA All-Star Paul Pierce has lauded the play of Iowa star Caitlin Clark.

Appearing on FS1’s Undisputed, former NBA Champion Pierce, 46, admitted to having been “mesmerized” by the play of Clark during the Hawkeyes’ 94-87 Elite Eight win on Monday.

Former NBA Champion Paul Pierce said he was ‘mesmerized’ by Caitlin Clark’s performance for Iowa in the Elite EightCredit: X/@undisputed

Pierce compared Clark to Golden State Warriors star Steph CurryCredit: X/@undisputed
“This was the greatest performance I’ve ever seen in the NCAA Tournament, girl or boy. Greatest performance,” Pierce told Skip Bayless and Keyshawn Johnson.

Clark finished the game with 41 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds.

“I’ll tell you why, rarely does a game like this live up to its hype.

“Rarely do you have the two superstars play like superstars because you’ve got to understand, the scouting report is geared to stop you.”

Pierce later added that he felt Clark had surpassed his expectations, repeating LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s label of Clark as a “Generational player.”

“I’ve never compared a female basketball player to an NBA player,” Pierce said.

“Most of your comparables are to female players.”

However, for Clark, he made an exception saying, “My only comparable to her is (Golden State Warriors star) Steph Curry. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Bayless seemingly agreed with the comparison, noting how he felt Clark’s “Threes have more impact than other mortals three points shots cause she’s shooting them from Steph range.”

Jason Sudeikis stuns fans with with Caitlin Clark’s John Cena-inspired celebration as Iowa make NCAA Final Four_ESPN
Clark may be extremely effective from distance, landing nine of 20 three-pointers on Monday, but according to Mulkey, it’s her impact on others that’s so impressive.

“She just makes everybody around her better. That’s what the great ones do,” she said.

“I think they had a kid that scored 21 in 18, she had 12 assists, Caitlin Clark’s not going to beat you by herself.

“It’s what she does to make those other teammates better that helps her score points and them score points to beat you.”

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey called Clark a ‘generational player’Credit: Getty
Mulkey also revealed that after the game she told Clark, “I sure am glad you’re leaving.

“I said, ‘Girl you’re something else. Never seen anything like it.'”

Next up for Clark is a trip to Cleveland to take on the UConn Huskies in the Final Four on Friday, April 5.

The winners will take on either South Carolina or NC State in the Championship Game on Sunday, April 7.

Either of these will be Clark’s final collegiate game after she declared for the upcoming WNBA Draft in February.

Clark and the Hawkeyes will take on UConn in the Final FourCredit: Reuters