5 Times Caitlin Clark PROVED Her Haters Wrong!
When Caitlin Clark entered the 2024 WNBA draft, she was already a star. But as much as she garnered praise for her electric performances and her ability to elevate her team, she also faced an overwhelming amount of criticism. In a world where critics have no shortage of things to say about rising stars, Caitlin seemed to have earned more hate than most.
From Diana Taurasi to Lexi Brown, even some of the biggest names in basketball couldn’t resist throwing shade at Caitlin. They doubted her ability to adjust to the physicality of the WNBA, and some even questioned her place in history. But instead of engaging with her critics, Caitlin Clark chose to let her game do the talking. And, one by one, she silenced them all.
Diana Taurasi’s Criticism: “It’ll Be a Harsh Reality”
One of the earliest critics of Clark was none other than the legendary Diana Taurasi, who claimed Caitlin would face a harsh reality in the WNBA. Taurasi, a 3-time Olympic gold medalist, argued that Caitlin would struggle to compete against “grown women” in the WNBA after dominating college basketball.”You’re going to face some grown women who have been playing professional basketball for a long time,” Taurasi said. “There’s levels to this game.”
But Clark’s response was simple—she brought her A-game to the WNBA, proving Taurasi’s words wrong with every win. Her stats spoke volumes, and her ability to dominate against the league’s best made it clear that she was ready for the challenge. In their first matchup, Caitlin Clark outperformed Taurasi, posting a double-double with 15 points and 12 assists, and the Indiana Fever swept Taurasi’s Phoenix Mercury.
Lexi Brown’s Hating on Caitlin’s Three-Point Shooting
Another hater in Caitlin’s journey was Lexi Brown, who claimed that Clark was “just a three-point shooter” and implied that her style of play was one-dimensional. According to Brown, if Caitlin had the same “freedom” to shoot as other players, she would struggle.“She plays one style—just threes,” Lexi Brown said dismissively.
Caitlin Clark had other plans. Not only did Clark lead the NCAA in assists for three consecutive years, but she also dominated in the WNBA as the top assist provider. In fact, Clark averaged 8.2 assists per game, dismissing the notion that her game was limited to just shooting. Her all-around game, which includes scoring, passing, and defense, was unmatched. In their head-to-head matchups, Caitlin outclassed Lexi, dropping 41 points to 8 and showcasing the versatility that Lexi had failed to see.
Cheryl Swoops’ Disrespectful Comments
Even Cheryl Swoops, a WNBA legend, couldn’t resist joining the growing list of critics. On a popular sports talk show, Swoops downplayed Caitlin Clark’s achievements, implying that Clark’s scoring record wasn’t legitimate because she played against younger players in college.
“If you’re going to break a record, you have to do it against the same competition the original player did,” Swoops said. “Clark’s playing with a 25-year-old against 18-year-olds. That’s not the same.”
But Caitlin didn’t waste her time with this criticism—she simply kept dominating. In a season filled with career-defining performances, Clark continued to break records and lead her team to victory. Meanwhile, Swoops found herself embroiled in personal drama after calling out Clark, and fans took to social media to call out Swoops for her lack of respect.
Angel Reese’s Undermining Actions
Angel Reese, another rising star, had her own history with Caitlin Clark. From the 2023 NCAA Championship game, where Reese taunted Caitlin with a John Cena “you can’t see me” gesture, to shooting a half-court shot in an All-Star game after Clark missed, it was clear that Reese had issues with Clark’s spotlight.
In their WNBA showdown, Caitlin Clark had the last laugh. In their final meeting, Clark dominated Reese, posting 31 points and 13 assists while Reese could only manage 5 points and 9 rebounds. It was a clear statement—Clark was not only the better player but also the dominant force in women’s basketball.
Team USA Snub
The ultimate insult came when Caitlin Clark was excluded from the Team USA roster for international competition. The official reasoning? Clark didn’t meet the selection criteria. This was despite her amazing performances that had the basketball world buzzing. Critics were quick to point out the absurdity of the decision—after all, Caitlin Clark was leading the league in assists, and her team was a top contender in the WNBA.
Her absence from Team USA was a glaring oversight, and Caitlin Clark’s critics were soon forced to eat their words. Clark dominated in the WNBA, showing that the disrespect only fueled her desire to prove herself on the court.
The Final Word: Caitlin Clark’s Unstoppable Legacy
Each of these instances is a testament to how Caitlin Clark has been underestimated and criticized. Whether it was from Diana Taurasi, Lexi Brown, or even Cheryl Swoops, Clark proved them all wrong. She didn’t just respond to the hate; she obliterated it with dominant performances that left her haters in the dust.
Caitlin Clark didn’t just shut down her critics; she raised the bar for women’s basketball. As the WNBA’s brightest star, her future is limitless, and the haters who doubted her early on can now only watch as she continues to redefine the game.
Through her talent, humility, and unstoppable will, Caitlin Clark has cemented her place in basketball history as one of the greatest players of all time—and she’s just getting started.
