Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi addressed the backlash she received after making comments about Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. Taurasi’s remarks, first made during an alternative ESPN broadcast with the New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, sparked controversy among Clark's fans.
“Reality is coming,” Taurasi said during the broadcast, per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. “You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time. There is gonna be a transition period where you’re going to have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”
These comments did not sit well with Clark's supporters, who perceived them as critical. Some fans accused Taurasi of being jealous or dismissive of Clark's potential. In response to the growing criticism, Taurasi clarified her intentions in an interview on Arizona Sports 98.7.
“You know these days, everything takes a life of its own,” Taurasi said. “Every little snippet, every little comment, any quote taken out of context. Look, I only said it because when I watch games — and I’m sure when you talk to any professional athlete — you think about what they’ll look like as a pro. How will it translate? It’s going to translate. Like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time.”
Taurasi added that her remarks were not meant to undermine Clark but to highlight the inevitable adjustment period every rookie faces when transitioning from college to professional basketball. She compared it to other transitions in life, such as moving from high school to college.
“How will it translate? It’s going to translate. Like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time,” Taurasi said.
Caitlin Clark's WNBA start shows potential
Clark's start in the WNBA has had its challenges. Through her first two games, she averaged 14.5 points per game but struggled with shooting, hitting only 30.4% from the field and 27.8% from three-point range. She also averaged 6.5 turnovers per game. However, Clark showed significant improvement in her third game against the New York Liberty May 18, scoring 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-10 from three-point range.
Despite Clark’s early struggles and the Fever's 0-3 start to the season, Taurasi's comments about the adjustment period seem prophetic. Clark herself acknowledged the need for patience and growth.
“We’re a young group, there needs to be a little grace given to all of us,” Clark said before the game against the Liberty.
Taurasi’s initial comments came during a period of heightened excitement around Clark, who gained significant attention as the star of the Iowa women’s basketball team during this year’s season. Taurasi’s said her remarks about Clark appearing “superhuman” against college players were intended to temper expectations and prepare fans for the realities of professional competition.
Following some of the earlier backlash, Taurasi addressed the sensitivity of some new WNBA fans.
“The new fans are really sensitive these days,” she said. “You can't say anything.”
“It’s kinda 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,” Taurasi added.
While Taurasi’s comments may have been unpopular with some fans, they reflect a broader truth about the challenges of moving to a higher level of play in any sport. Whether Clark will dominate in the WNBA remains to be seen, but her early performances indicate she is capable of making the necessary adjustments.
Clark and the Fever will play the Connecticut Sun Monday. This is the team's second-time meeting; Clark made her WNBA regular-season debut against Connecticut May 15.
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