Diana Taurasi is broadly considered one of many biggest gamers in WNBA historical past. In the meantime, 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 sport will mark Clark’s first alternative to compete in opposition to 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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Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever warms up earlier than the sport /ah at Wintrust Enviornment on June 23, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Quinn Harris/Getty Photographs)
“It’s unbelievable,” Clark instructed reporters on Saturday about Taurasi’s two-decade run within the league. “I don’t assume folks understand how arduous that’s to do.”
WNBA COMMISSIONER SCOFFS AT NOTION CAITLIN CLARK IS BEING TARGETED BY WNBA PLAYERS
Clark additionally stated taking the courtroom for a recreation in opposition to a participant of Taurasi’s caliber was “a dream come true. You get to stay out your dream whereas taking part in in opposition to the perfect.”
Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury seems on throughout the recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces on Might 14, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada. (David Becker/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
Clark went on to explain Taurasi as one of many WNBA’s all-time greats. “Clearly, she’s one of many biggest gamers our recreation has ever seen, the best scorer our recreation has ever seen,” Clark stated.
Regardless of 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 will be enjoyable,” she stated.
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In April, Taurasi was requested about what incoming WNBA rookies might anticipate. She proceeded to recommend {that a} impolite awakening was in retailer.
“Look, SVP, actuality is coming,” Taurasi instructed ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt throughout an look on SportsCenter on April 6. “There’s ranges to this factor. And that’s simply life. All of us went via it. You see it on the NBA facet, and also you’re going to see it on this facet. You look superhuman taking part in in opposition to 18-year-olds, however you’re going to (be taking part in in opposition to) some grown ladies which have been taking part in skilled basketball for a very long time.”
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever seems on throughout the recreation in opposition to the Seattle Storm on June 27, 2024 at Local weather Pledge Enviornment in Seattle, Washington. (Mollie Handkins/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
Whereas the feedback had been in regards to the rookie class as an entire, some believed the remarks had been a direct jab at Clark, who dominated on the school basketball degree.
Nonetheless, 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 degree than Clark. Each 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. Staff USA shall be competing for a document eight consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The 2024 Olympic roster notably doesn’t embrace any gamers who not too long ago 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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