Caitlin Clark’s name alone speaks volumes about the success she has achieved in her basketball career. Whether in the WNBA or collegiate basketball, she has consistently delivered. The WNBA’s assists leader, averaging 8.4 assists per game, holds records in three-pointers, assists, and scoring. Yet, her game isn’t without its flaws.
Before making it to the playoffs, the No. 1 pick found herself on shaky ground after receiving her sixth technical foul of the season during a game against the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces. This left her just one technical away from suspension. Fortunately, no further incidents occurred, and she ended her rookie season on a high note. However, Jan Jensen recently shed light on an unhealthy habit along this line that Clark might need to address moving forward.
On a recent episode of Cris Mailander’s YouTube channel, where he teamed up with Jensen to discuss various WNBA topics, Clark naturally became part of the conversation. Jensen praised her transformative impact, saying, “Inarguably, whether you like her or not, she spun it all on its head.” However, Jensen didn’t shy away from pointing out a recurring issue: “She played with that flair, and I had plenty of conversations if she chirped to the refs too much.”
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This tendency to engage with officials isn’t new for Clark. For instance, during a 92-73 win over Nebraska in college, Iowa’s head coach Lisa Bluder noticed her team focusing too much on officiating. Clark, as the standout player, was even pulled aside during a timeout. “My message is to let me do the talking to the officials… That’s my job — I just want to do my job,” Bluder explained.
Jensen also had something similar to convey to the Fever #22. “That’s not passionate. Don’t be using that as an excuse. That was bad sportsmanship,” the current Iowa HC recalled her conversations with CC. The issue, however, has persisted.
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Even now, during the offseason, Clark’s competitive nature hasn’t changed.
Clark recently attended Iowa’s game against Drake and was spotted yelling at officials over a call she believed should have gone Iowa’s way. However, Clark has previously acknowledged this behavior, saying, “I have a great relationship with a lot of the officials… But I’m feisty and competitive, and they know that. I think they do a great job. We’re not perfect, but sometimes I disagree with them.”
True to her on-court persona, Clark remains vocal about officiating, whether she’s playing or supporting her team. Yet, the game wasn’t all tension. Clark took the opportunity to greet her former coach, Lisa Bluder, who recently handed over coaching responsibilities to assistant Jan Jensen, and the current HC herself.
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Bluder has been a crucial part of Clark’s journey. Still, Jensen knows Clark well, and if her words hold any weight, Clark might work on managing her technical fouls in the upcoming WNBA season.
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