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Diana Taurasi had some reward for Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.
Following the Fever’s 88-82 victory over Taurasi’s Phoenix Mercury Sunday, Taurasi spoke to reporters about Clark and the impression she has had early in her WNBA profession.
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Extra from Taurasi on Clark: “…Extra importantly, she’s completed quite a bit for the Indiana Fever. A group that for the final couple of years is attempting to get again to their glory days of Tamika Catchings and placing up banners. So clearly, what she’s completed for the sport has been fairly… pic.twitter.com/VdTwpahyy9
“It is wonderful. What Caitlin’s been capable of do in her brief profession to this point has been nothing wanting exceptional,” Taurasi advised reporters. “The one factor that I actually love about her … she’s put the work in. Even all through her brief WNBA profession, it has been a whole lot of strain, a whole lot of issues thrown at her and she or he retains exhibiting up and she or he retains getting higher each single recreation. So her future is tremendous brilliant.”
She continued by acknowledging Clark’s impression on her group and the way Indiana is trying to return to a earlier normal.
“She’s completed quite a bit for the Indiana Fever,” Taurasi advised reporters. “A group that for the final couple of years is attempting to get again to their glory days of Tamika Catchings and placing up banners. So clearly, what she’s completed for the sport has been fairly unbelievable and (having) that momentum popping out of school, eyes on you for 4 years straight. I feel what she’s doing for that group proper now’s fairly spectacular.”
Taurasi is kind of the advocate to have in your nook. She is a 10-time All-Star, gained the 2009 MVP and has three WNBA championships in her 20 seasons. She additionally notably warned Clark and the opposite incoming rookies that “actuality is coming” and that the transition from the collegiate ranks can be tough.
Clark was sensational in school. She was a four-time All-American, two-time AP Participant of the 12 months and led her Iowa Hawkeyes to 2 straight nationwide championship appearances. She averaged 31.6 factors, 8.9 assists and seven.4 rebounds throughout her senior season at Iowa.
She has not been as dominant throughout her rookie season within the WNBA, however that was to be anticipated with the extent change. She is presently averaging 16.2 factors, 6.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds and has led Indiana to an 8-12 begin to the season.
Whereas the report shouldn’t be tearing up the league, it is carefully approaching the group’s win whole from 2023 (13) and has exceeded the win totals from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Whereas there may be nonetheless loads of room for Clark to develop, it seems that Taurasi acquired a robust first impression.