Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

WNBA legend thinks Caitlin Clark is real deal, but can she keep it up in second season?

By Dorothy Howard | Last updated May 16, 2025 1:26 PM ET

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark's impressive college career and rookie WNBA season have brought record-breaking viewership to the WNBA.

Former WNBA player Cynthia Cooper has praised the former Hawkeyes star, but can Clark continue to produce in her second season?

Cynthia Cooper's ideal player

Clark faced pressure coming into her rookie campaign, but she quickly proved that her college statistics were no fluke. The guard has impressed both critics and fans. Cooper, a four-time WNBA champion, gushed over Clark and her attributes.

Cooper is a WNBA legend, and she believes that Clark will be one, too. In her time with the Houston Comets, Cooper reached new heights and secured the team four titles, two WNBA MVP Awards and four Finals MVPs.

Speaking about Clark on "All The Smoke," Cooper praised the second-year player. She broke down Clark's performances and remarked, "She is the complete basketball player."

“[Caitlin Clark] is the truth… she is the complete basketball player”
WNBA champion and Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper on Caitlin Clark
pic.twitter.com/W3w7aDvID4
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) May 15, 2025

Cooper's status gives her comments added value and shows just how elite Clark is. She didn't show any hesitation when coming into the league, picking up exactly where she left off in college.

What can Clark do in her second season?

After receiving the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, All-WNBA First Team Honors and leading the Fever to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, Clark is under pressure to better the statistics she had in her rookie season.

She averaged almost 20 points per game in 2024 but has shown she is a team player. Clark can see plays before they develop, constantly looking for the best option on the court, whether to shoot or pass.

Offensively, Clark has it all. She had almost nine assists per game, which indicates her ability to read the game effectively. Clark can shoot from beyond the arc or drive to the basket. Her statistics at the free-throw line are also impressive, as she shot almost 91%.

Given all the praise she is receiving, Clark's success in her second season will be pivotal. Some might still say her rookie season was a one-off, but Cooper's praise for Clark points to bigger things coming from the Iowa native.

Dorothy Howard

Dorothy Howard is an avid sports fan and sports journalist. She specializes in soccer and football and brings experience from FanSided and On Sports Illustrated. Dorothy’s favorite teams are the Carolina Panthers and Manchester United.

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