Even though he hasn’t officially stepped on an WNBA court to play a game, Caitlin Clark has been generating a lot of buzz lately. The most recent came from Indiana Fever general manager Lin Dunn and how she thinks the rookie is following the path of two great basketball players.
Over the past few months, Clark has established herself as the biggest name in college basketball. After several years of playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, her final year with the team saw the guard break Pete Maravich’s old record to become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
From there, the guard led Iowa through March Madness to land in a championship game against an undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks team. Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes lost and Clark’s incredible season was marred by her inability to win a title for her team.
Less than a month after her NCAA championship loss, Clark was officially selected by the Indiana Fever as the first pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft. She headlines a class filled with the biggest names in women’s college basketball, such as the Los Angeles Sparks’ Cameron Brink, and Chicago Sky’s pair of rookies in Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
Indiana Fever General Manager Lin Dunn Compares Caitlin Clark to Two Legendary Players
Just recently, Fever GM Dunn claimed that she saw two basketball greats in Clark – Sue Bird and Larry Bird. In an article Michael Marot wrote for AP News:
“I see many characteristics between Sue Bird and Caitlin Clark some 20 years later,” Dunn said Wednesday. “When I look at the great guards I’ve seen over how many years now, 28 years, Caitlin has the potential. If she stays healthy, adapts quickly to the physicality of this league, she has the potential to have that kind of career,” Marot wrote.
Sue Bird is a former number one pick who played for the Seattle Storm and is considered one of the best WNBA players . She is also the only individual to win championships in three different decades. Meanwhile, Larry Bird is a Boston Celtics legend who has led the team to three rings in the 80s and established one of the best rivalries in basketball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson.
Caitlin Clark is set to make her debut on May 14 against the Dallas Wings. For sure, a lot of people will be watching whether to see if Dunn’s claim about her is right or wrong this season.
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