Despite a lot of negative narratives around Caitlin Clark, the 22-year-old isn’t done yet. Though Clark’s numbers might not be near her NCAA performances, nonetheless as per the standards of the WNBA, they are worthy of being compared with some of the top names in the league. Clark is now just one month away from having a WNBA record worth swooning for.
Clark is the only player in the WNBA to be one month away from achieving an astounding WNBA milestone. Clark has an average of 16.2 points per game with 5.7 rebounds per match and 6.9 assists per contest. She is therefore the only WNBA rookie player to have an average of 15,5 and 5 for two months.
When compared to other WNBA players, it would come as a surprise that the two other stars to accomplish this feat in their rookie year for a month each was Alyssa Thomas and Sabrina Ionescu, as per Stat Mamba. While Thomas debuted in the W with the Connecticut Sun in 2014, Ionescu played her maiden game for the New York Liberty in 2020. Hence, if Clark maintains her average of 15, 5, 5 for another month, she will become the first rookie player to have such an average for more than 2 months in the league’s 27 years of history.
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Most months averaging 15/5/5 by a rookie:
2 — Caitlin Clark
2 — Rest of WNBA history combined pic.twitter.com/llqWuUoFK0— StatMamba (@StatMamba) June 30, 2024
Another interesting point to note is that though Ionescu and Thomas had brilliant month-end averages, overall Thomas has just 10 points per game with 5.1 rebounds in her rookie season. Similarly, Ionescu averaged 18.3 points per game with 4.7 rebounds and 4 assists per contest in her rookie year. Clark who has as mentioned previously averaged 16.2 points with 6.9 assists per contest is surely on her way to having a better WNBA year.
What’s next for Caitlin Clark?
Having proved her dominance with her performances, Clark is yet to make complete adjustments to the W. In her game against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, Clark scored 15 points with 9 rebounds and 12 assists, thus once again showing that she is comfortable with both the alpha role and that of the second fiddle. However, many fans opine that she is not on the correct team.
A major issue with Clark is that she is not being trusted to take on a one-woman role, something she was accustomed to while playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Further, issues of Clark not receiving due passes from her teammates have also been pointed out by the fans.
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Perhaps, Clark accomplishing more W feats will instill more confidence in her. Plus, her teammates and coach will also start trusting her more, which has previously proven useful to her growth in the NCAA.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.
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