Caitlin Clark is the most popular WNBA player in the game today and perhaps of all time already. She has brought excitement to women’s basketball, and everyone had their eyes on her before she ever stepped foot on a WNBA court.
While most fans and analysts anticipated Clark to excel from the start, not everyone shared this sentiment—particularly WNBA players.
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One of the WNBA players critical of Clark was none other than the player often considered to be the GOAT, Diana Taurasi. The Phoenix Mercury great went on SportsCenter during the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four and made some strong remarks about Clark.
“Look, SVP, reality is coming. 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.”
Taurasi continued: “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.”
Diana Taurasi to caitlin clark:
"Reality is coming…" pic.twitter.com/WYjHXnOCvd
— Jean-Philippe (@mrjeanphilippe) May 15, 2024
Clark’s skills did, in fact, translate to the WNBA. She averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game.
Clark was named the Rookie of the Year as she helped the Indiana Fever increase their wins from 13 the year prior to 20. She also led the Fever to their first playoff appearance in seven years.
After all the success Clark has achieved in just one season in the WNBA, Taurasi has changed her tune, including cracking a playful joke to Clark about her past comments.
“Unfortunately, reality is coming to me now,” Taurasi said.
“Unfortunately reality is coming to me now”
Diana Taurasi had to make a joke about her infamous “reality” quote about Caitlin Clark from 2024pic.twitter.com/hdN8HOqeqn
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 6, 2025
Taurasi is now retired, and Clark joined her on ESPN’s Bird & Taurasi Show to congratulate her. This led to Taurasi’s playful jab.
Clark is ready to take her career to the next level next season. She now has her sights set on the WNBA championship and possibly dethroning Taurasi as the WNBA’s GOAT. Now that’s a reality check.
