“Baby, Welcome to the”… WNBA
In one of, if not, the most anticipated debuts since the WNBA began in 1997, Caitlin Clark made history. Despite facing challenges, she finished with 20 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 10, yes 10, turnovers. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and all-time leading scorer in NCAA history for both men and women, shot 33.3% from the field on 5-15 FG, 36.4% from three, on 4-11 FG, and a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. Setting a WNBA record as the first player with 10 turnovers in a season debut, Clark quickly took accountability, stating, “...obviously too many turnovers, that's not gonna get the job done…” On a positive note, Clark’s 20 points rank second in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings who scored 23 points in 2002. She went on to state, “Obviously it wasn't like the best start in the first half and myself getting into foul trouble… I thought it took me a little while to settle into the game," Clark said. "I felt the second half was a lot better ... but just getting more comfortable ... that's just going to come with experience."
Despite a tough loss of 92-71 to the Connecticut Sun, the Indiana Fever showed their determination. As a team, they faced 25 turnovers, and the Sun would make Indiana pay by turning those turnovers into 29 points. However, this setback should only fuel their drive to improve and bounce back stronger.
When asked about one major difference between the NCAA and WNBA, Caitlin Clark said, “I thought it was physical … a lot to learn from, it’s the first one. There’s going to be good ones, and there's going to be bad ones.” Notorious for their aggressive defense, the Connecticut Sun were also able to draw four fouls on Clark. "Just expecting physicality was the biggest thing. Like there are no calls you're gonna get. The [defense] is going to get those calls, it is what it is."
For Clark and the Indiana Fever, there won’t be much time to spend at the drawing board as they welcome last season's MVP Breanna Stewart, and the New York Liberty, who reached the WNBA Finals and were the Commissioner's Cup champs into their arena. This comes while going through a gauntlet, playing their first seven games in just 12 days.
As foreshadowed by one of the greatest players in WNBA history, 10x All-Star, 1x MVP, 3x champion, 2x WNBA Finals MVP, Rookie of the Year, 5x Gold medalist, and 5x scoring champ Diana Taurasi, Clark will most certainly have a grace period. Prior to the season, Taurasi stated, “There are 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. But there is gonna be a transition period where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie."
In her very first game, Caitlin Clark helped bring in a staggering 2.1 million viewers, marking the highest-viewed WNBA game, regular season, or playoffs in the last 23 years. This record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity and excitement surrounding women's basketball.
Will Caitlin Clark and the 2024 draft class continue to lead the WNBA renaissance? Comment your thoughts below!