Diana Taurasi is extensively thought to be one of many best gamers in WNBA historical past. Meanwhile, rookie Caitlin Clark has helped convey an unprecedented quantity of consideration to ladies’s basketball.
Clark and the Indiana Fever will faceoff with Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. The recreation will mark Clark’s first alternative to compete towards Taurasi within the WNBA.
Clark was requested about her emotions main as much as the extremely anticipated matchup with a participant she grew up idolizing.
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“It’s unimaginable,” Clark advised reporters on Saturday about Taurasi’s two-decade run within the league. “I don’t assume folks notice how onerous that’s to do.”
WNBA COMMISSIONER SCOFFS AT NOTION CAITLIN CLARK IS BEING TARGETED BY WNBA PLAYERS
Clark additionally stated taking the court docket for a recreation towards a participant of Taurasi’s caliber was “a dream come true. You get to dwell out your dream whereas enjoying towards the very best.”
Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury appears to be like on through the recreation towards the Las Vegas Aces on May 14, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (David Becker/NBAE through Getty Images)
Clark went on to explain Taurasi as one of many WNBA’s all-time greats. “Obviously, she’s one of many best gamers our recreation has ever seen, the best scorer our recreation has ever seen,” Clark stated.
Despite Clark’s newest reward, a budding rivalry between the 2 high-profile gamers could possibly be on the horizon.
When Taurasi was requested to share her ideas on dealing with Clark for the primary time, she delivered a short response. “Yeah, it’s going to be enjoyable,” she stated.
In April, Taurasi was requested about what incoming WNBA rookies might anticipate. She proceeded to counsel {that a} impolite awakening was in retailer.
“Look, SVP, actuality is coming,” Taurasi advised ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt throughout an look on SportsMiddle on April 6. “There’s ranges to this factor. And that’s simply life. We all went via it. You see it on the NBA facet, and also you’re going to see it on this facet. You look superhuman enjoying towards 18-year-olds, however you’re going to (be enjoying towards) some grown ladies which have been enjoying skilled basketball for a very long time.”
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever appears to be like on through the recreation towards the Seattle Storm on June 27, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (Mollie Handkins/NBAE through Getty Images)
While the feedback have been in regards to the rookie class as an entire, some believed the remarks have been a direct jab at Clark, who dominated on the school basketball stage.
Nevertheless, Taurasi and Clark additionally share some similarities. Taurasi is the WNBA’s profession scoring chief, whereas nobody scored extra factors on the NCAA Division I stage than Clark. Both level guards are additionally robust 3-point shooters.
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Taurasi is one among three gamers on the Mercury’s roster who will signify the US in Paris subsequent month for the Olympics, becoming a member of Brittney Griner and guard Kahleah Copper. Team USA shall be competing for a report eight consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The 2024 Olympic roster notably doesn’t embody any gamers who just lately rose from the collegiate ranks. Clark’s exclusion from the roster sparked appreciable debate. Her teammate and the league’s reigning rookie of the yr, Aliyah Boston was additionally left off the roster.
The Fever and Mercury tipoff at 3:00 p.m. EST on June 30.
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