VIDEO: Diana Taurasi Goes Off On “New WNBA Fans” While Explaining Her Beef With Caitlin Clark

Many WNBA players have shared their thoughts on Caitlin Clark’s impact, and Diana Taurasi is undoubtedly one of the current more vocal players.

Former Iowa star Caitlin Clark is fresh off a historic college basketball career, but her next chapter is starting soon.

Many WNBA players, both past and present, have offered their opinions on Clark’s performance thus far and what they believe her professional career could include as she moves forward.

Diana Taurasi, a guard with the Phoenix Mercury, advised that Clark might have some initial difficulty adjusting to life in the pros.

“Look, SVP, reality is coming,” Taurasi told SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt about Clark earlier this month. “There’s levels to this thing. And that’s just life. We all went through it.”

You see it on the NBA side, and you’re going to see it on this side. You look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds, but you’re going to (be playing against) some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”

“Not saying (Clark’s skills) are not gonna translate because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better,” Taurasi added. “But there is gonna be a transition period where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”

Taurasi, a three-time NCAA champion with UConn, caught significant backlash for her comments.

This week, Taurasi reiterated her point on Sunday during a preseason availability that she’s not taking away from Clark’s talent. However, she also took some time to throw shots at the new fans of the WNBA.

“The new fans are really sensitive these days, and you can’t say anything,” Taurasi said. “It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade, there’s a learning adjustment; when you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment. I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t factually correct. Like anything, greatness is going to translate, and she’s proven that at every level, and I don’t see that being any different in the WNBA.”

Clark set numerous records while in college while simultaneously shattering viewership records. Clark has been a big selling point for WNBA teams as interest continues to rise.

Taurasi, who was also the top pick in her draft class, has her upcoming game against Clark at Footprint Center on June 30th. As expected, the demand for the game remains high and will most certainly be sold out as the game gets closer.

The Phoenix Mercury, led by Diana Taurasi, used their legend’s remarks regarding Caitlin Clark to highlight their impending season battle against the Indiana Fever.

Taurasi’s reputation as “The GOAT” was leveraged in her first matchup with “The ROOK.”

Caitlin Clark’s Effect On The WNBA Already Being Felt

Caitlin Clark (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark hasn’t played a game in the WNBA, and the league has already been feeling the effects since the draft, which shattered viewership records, per The Athletic. Her jerseys were sold out within an hour, while teams increased ticket prices for their home games against the visiting Fever.