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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The WNBA is quite different from the NCAA. And every player who has made it to the league has addressed some common issues. As the NCAA icon Caitlin Clark entered her rookie year in the WNBA, she too talked multiple times of the increased physicality and aggression in the WNBA. Now she has come forward to speak one more factor in the WNBA that differs from that in the NCAA and causes one to change their tactics. Fans with Clark’s statement got an insight into the game.

Clark was present during the post-match press conference after her second preseason game against the Atlanta Dream. Her answer had all the fans excited.

Caitlin Clark speaks of no relaxation

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Clark with her reply on Thursday was asked about the difference between the WNBA and the NCAA. A reflective Clark shared that the WNBA games demand a lot of time and attention than the NCAA.

USA Today via Reuters

“I think the biggest thing is you can’t take a second off. No matter who you are guarding. No matter if you’re on offense or defense. Like you… you breathe for one second and you’re not looking at your man and she’s on the other side of the court so I think that’s the biggest thing is everybody’s so skilled, like this is the most competitive league in the world coz there are not… not that many spots so every person that’s getting on the floor is… is really really talented,” Clark stated.

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Clark during her second game potted 12 points playing for 32 minutes. As mentioned she even contributed defensively, nabbing 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The WNBA is a fast-paced game where players find it difficult to take their eyes off their competitors even for a minute. This was seen even in the scoring as the Fever basketed 83 points in response to the Dream’s 80.

Another example of the competitiveness of the WNBA is that veterans like Bria Hartley were waived off from the Las Vegas Aces. She was the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 WNBA draft. This shows that the WNBA has a surplus of talent and athletes find it difficult to retain their spots if they don’t perform well. For Clark, who is looking to cement her spot, it will be all the more important to cement her place.

What’s next for Caitlin Clark?

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The Indiana Fever will make their regular season debut against the Connecticut Sun on May 14. The match will stream on ESPN+, ESPN2 and TSN. The game will commence at 7 PM ET. It will be interesting to see Clark battle it out against the Sun and fans will get to know of her preparations as the story for the WNBA 2024 unfolds.

Hopefully, Clark will adjust herself to the new level and be as crucial to her team in the WNBA as she was during her college days.