Carolina Panthers icon Cam Newton knows the transition from being the top draft pick to facing widespread criticism, and he might have valuable advice for Indiana Fever’s prized top pick Caitlin Clark.
Clark, who averaged 31.6 points per game on 45.5% shooting during her stellar final season at the University of Iowa, hasn't had the smoothest transition into the professional league. Recently, Clark was notably bumped by Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter, an incident that has drawn significant attention from the sports community.
Cam Newton's advice
During Thursday’s episode of “4th & 1 with Cam Newton,” Newton commented on the rough play.
“Why are we actin’ as if she’s America’s sweetheart in a league that, she’s in a league full of hyenas and lions, tigers and bears?” the former Panthers quarterback stressed.
“Everybody is comin’ after you to try to dethrone you, and trying to get in your head—mentally, physically, emotionally. And this is just an example of that.”
Newton is all too familiar with being targeted—just ask Atlanta Falcons safety Damonte Kazee, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness and ejected after a blatant, helmet-to-helmet hit on the 2011 top overall pick.
“Nobody is above getting checked or being disliked,” Newton continued.
“So, Caitlin, welcome to the big leagues. Everybody ain’t gonna like you. Everybody not gon’ like the fact that you just are as young as you are and you’re the face of the WNBA. They’re not gonna like the fact that Nike just dropped a big boy bag on you. So, yeah . . . what did Steve Smith say? You gotta ice up, son.”
Caitlin Clark's season so far
Caitlin Clark, after setting numerous collegiate records and earning consecutive consensus national player of the year honors at Iowa, was drafted first overall by the Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, she has encountered challenges since entering the professional league.
The Fever previously posted a 13-27 record without Clark. But they continue to struggle this season, starting at 2-9. Additionally, the sharpshooting rookie averaged 5.4 turnovers per game and shot 35.7 percent from the field (29.7 percent from three-point range).
Despite these challenges, she has been productive across the board, averaging 15.6 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 block that warranted her the WNBA's Rookie of the Month for May.
The Indiana rookie's performance statistically has been impressive. Clark joins an elite group as only the third WNBA player to surpass 100 points, 30 rebounds, and 30 assists in her initial six games. Leading this year's rookie class, she boasts top figures in scoring (17.6 points), assists (6.6), field goals (46), and free throws (42), and unsurprisingly, she's also matched Diana Taurasi's total 3-pointers made (24).
The Fever's growing pains
However, she and her team still faced numerous challenges, including a demanding schedule, restricted practice opportunities, encounters with a tough reception from the league, and periods of subpar play.
The Fever have also faced an incredibly packed schedule, playing 11 games in just 20 days. This intense pace is reminiscent of the Washington Mystics' schedule back in 2007, which was similarly demanding.
This week, the Indiana Fever finally had a much-needed break. “I think honestly just getting away from basketball, getting some sleep, taking care of my body,” Clark said, describing how she spent her two days off before returning to practice on Wednesday.
“I play the point guard spot like I haven’t gotten a lot of practice time with my team and that’s really hard, trying to navigate an offense and you’ve haven’t had much practice time together,” she continued via Associated Press.
Clark's journey into the professional basketball scene has been a tumultuous one, marked by highs and lows typical of a rookie adjusting to the rigors of the WNBA. She's faced challenges and criticism, but she keeps going, showing her toughness and hard work.
Let’s just all hope that her trajectory isn’t the same as Cam Newton’s.
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