If there’s one star who has seen it all it has to be Candace Parker. Drafted in 2008 as the first-round pick, Parker was the MVP in her rookie season. She then went on to become 3x WNBA Champion. Many media outlets go as far as saying that for her accomplishments and the amount of attention she brought to the league, Parker was Caitlin Clark much before Clark even debuted in the WNBA. Hence, the Missouri-born was asked to share her words of wisdom for Clark and Parker obliged with some detailed insight.

Parker was present in an exclusive chat with Andscape when she shared her views on Clark and how the latter has been adjusting to the high pressures of the WNBA. Parker spoke highly of Clark but also reminded everyone that it was a big responsibility that the Indiana star had been carrying.

“It’s hard to have the bullseye on your back, not just from the standpoint of everybody looking at you, but also as a teammate trying; it is a team sport, so you’re the one that always constantly has to remind people like, ‘Hey Aliyah [Boston], set that screen.’ It’s difficult and people have different feelings about it. So, it’s a hard weight, hard burden to carry, but she’s doing a great job,” Parker said, via Andscape.

Clark since her transition to the WNBA has brought on a lot of eyes from the NCAA. Her fans as well as the critics have been giving her the limelight. Clark has adjusted well since she became the first WNBA rookie to score a triple-double during her game against the New York Liberty in early July. However, the attention sometimes also puts Clark in a vulnerable situation. She is compared to her peers, with parallels being drawn to the WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi since Clark couldn’t make it to this year’s Olympics team. And all this sometimes adds a lot of pressure on Clark.

Meanwhile, as for Parker, she adjusted to the level of the W easily as in her first game she broke the highest points record for a rookie with 34 points which was held by Cynthia Cooper. Her skills were so astounding that she became the second player in the WNBA after Lisa Leslie to perform a dunk. She also made it to the Olympics team unlike Clark in her rookie season and brought home a gold medal. For her achievements, she was also awarded the MVP award that season.

While imparting her wisdom now, Parker also shared the advice she had given Clark much before the NCAA tournament.

Candace Parker shares her previous advice to Caitlin Clark

Parker lauded the 22-year-old for giving her best shot. She also revealed that before the NCAA 2023-24 tournament, Parker had advised Clark to enjoy the game and live in the moment. “Enjoy it. It goes so fast. The days are long, but the years are short.” Additionally, Parker also enunciated that she asked Clark to take one day at a time and play her best without forgetting why she picked up this game. “This is a game. This is a game of basketball that we all picked up because we loved it. So, you’ve got to play that.”

Maybe Parker’s advice was attentively followed since Clark reached the NCAA Championship Finale twice in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. It is to be noted that Parker herself had won the NCAA title twice in 2007 and 2008 consecutively.

Perhaps, Parker’s latest advice will reach Clark who will be keen to follow what Parker has stated. Plus, diligently sticking to Parker’s words of wisdom will hopefully also earn her the Rookie of the Year and help the Indiana Fever to qualify for the playoffs.