WNBA legend Tina Charles defends Caitlin Clark for Team USA close call

WNBA legend Tina Charles does not feel it’s fair to single out  Caitlin Clark’s struggles in a recent close call by Team USA against Italy. 

On Sunday, the Americans were nearly upset by Italy, with the tournament favorite USA coming away with a 55-52 victory.

The Indiana Fever star point guard Clark was held by Italy to just 1 point and a salty 0-of-6 shooting from the floor. For what it’s worth, she’s never failed to get a bucket in a college or WNBA game. The former WNBA Rookie of the Year received plenty of criticism for her forgettable performance, but Charles didn’t like hearing much of the derision focused on Clark. 

“I think it’s a little bit unfair to isolate Caitlin Clark from Team USA,” she said on TNT’s pregame show before Monday’s game between Team USA and Czechia. 

“Clark had the rhythm in the first game, so did Team USA. Clark struggled to find that rhythm (on Sunday), and so did Team USA. I think the lesson for Team USA and Clark, is okay, ‘What I’m used to doing is not available, or I’m not able to do that; what is the second thing I’m gonna do to impact this game? Like, what am I gonna do during this possession? What does this possession need from me?'”