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Caitlin Clark may be the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, but that didn’t save her from getting cut in Hailey Van Lith’s “start-bench-cut” rankings during a lighthearted interview at the 2025 WNBA Draft ceremony.
Van Lith, selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky, was asked by USA Today Sports to choose between three of the sport’s biggest names: WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, and Clark, who’s become the face of the league after just one season.
“Give flowers to the legend. We are going to start Diana Taurasi,” Van Lith said. “I’m going to bench Sabrina and cut Caitlin.”
HVL became an opp twice today
pic.twitter.com/bgEpH4F6nT
— a
(@bdilh021524) April 15, 2025
While her answer was clearly made in good fun, it quickly caught fire on social media. Fans debated whether Van Lith was snubbing a rising superstar or simply tipping her cap to the legacy of Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion and former MVP. Ionescu, meanwhile, led the Liberty to their first-ever WNBA title. Clark? She turned in a record-breaking rookie campaign and earned All-Star honors in her debut season.
Caitlin Clark is about to ‘cook’ Hailey Van Lith on National TV
As soon as the draft concluded, fans realized Van Lith’s WNBA debut would come against none other than Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever—on national TV. Naturally, the internet had a field day. One user, @HeavensFX, posted a photo of Van Lith’s emotional draft-night reaction with the caption: “When you realize your WNBA debut will be another nationally televised cooking by Caitlin Clark.”
Another fan wrote, “She found out. There’s nothing you can do. Nobody can shut down CC, 1v1.” A Clark supporter added, “Caitlin’s going to cook Hailey again. I feel bad for her—I actually like Van Lith.”
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) April 15, 2025
The rivalry isn’t new. In March 2023, Clark dropped a 41-point triple-double to eliminate Van Lith’s Louisville Cardinals in the Elite Eight. In 2024, she repeated the feat, scoring 41 points again—this time against Van Lith’s LSU Tigers.
Now, with both stars in the WNBA, the stakes are even higher. Van Lith will get her chance to flip the script, but she’ll have to go through Clark on opening night—a player she cut from her dream lineup and one who doesn’t need much to get fired up.
More must-reads:
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Dodgers Facing Trade Decision After Blake Snell News
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Can LeBron James Be Traded to the Dallas Mavericks?
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Baseball Hall of Fame Welcomes a Quintet of Greatness
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His willingness to push his body to the limit, even pitching on short rest late in his career, underscored his competitive fire. Billy Wagner: The Dominant Closer Who Waited His Turn to Enter Hall of Fame For Billy Wagner, the call to Cooperstown was a long time coming. But it was no less sweet. In his 10th and final year on the BBWAA ballot, the dominant left-handed closer finally broke through, garnering 82.5% of the vote. Wagner’s career was a masterclass in high-leverage situations. Across 16 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves, he struck out 1,196 batters in just 903 innings. Also, he put up an impressive 2.31 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. Additionally, he ranks sixth all-time with 422 career saves. Wagner’s induction brings the number of full-time closers in the Hall of Fame to eight. It cements his place among the game’s most intimidating ninth-inning specialists. His perseverance, a recurring theme in his career given his relatively small stature for a pitcher, resonated deeply. “Obstacles are not a roadblock, obstacles are stepping stones,” Wagner declared in his heartfelt speech. Embodying the spirit that drove him from humble beginnings to baseball immortality. Dick Allen: Recognition Long Overdue The emotional core of the 2025 class undoubtedly belonged to the late Dick Allen. Whose induction by the Classic Baseball Era Committee was a culmination of decades of advocacy and a testament to his undeniable impact on the game. Allen, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 78, was a seven-time All-Star, the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year, and the 1972 AL MVP. He put up a .292 batting average, 351 home runs, 1,119 RBIs, and had a .534 slugging percentage for his career. Yet, for years, Allen’s controversial reputation and complex relationship with fans and media often overshadowed his on-field brilliance. He was a pioneer, a power hitter ahead of his time, and a player who faced immense racial prejudice throughout his career. His posthumous induction, accepted by his wife, Willa Allen, and son, Dick Jr., was a long-awaited rectification of a historical oversight. As his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt noted in a prerecorded message, “I can’t imagine how good Dick Allen would have been in those days if he had been accepted.” Cooperstown has finally recognized his place in the Hall of Fame. Dave Parker: The Cobra’s Crown Jewel…Finally Joining Dick Allen via the Classic Baseball Era Committee was the late Dave Parker. Another power-hitting outfielder whose long and distinguished career finally received its due. Parker, who passed away less than a month before the ceremony, was tragically unable to soak in the moment. A moment he had long coveted and deserved much sooner. However, his spirit shone brightly through the poetic induction speech read by his son, Dave Parker II. A tribute that captured the essence of “The Cobra.” Parker’s resume is studded with accolades. He was a two-time batting champion, a seven-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and the 1978 NL MVP. He was a cornerstone of the “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the 1979 World Series. Leading the charge with his powerful bat and a rocket arm that became legendary. Furthermore, his transition to the Cincinnati Reds saw a career resurgence. Finally, he capped his career off with a second World Series ring with the Oakland Athletics in 1989. With 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBIs, Parker’s numbers speak for themselves. His election, albeit posthumously, rectifies a glaring omission. Furthermore, it ensures that “The Cobra” will forever be remembered as one of the game’s most impactful and charismatic figures. Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Makes Cooperstown Shine a Little Brighter The Class of 2025 is a powerful reminder that the path to Cooperstown is as varied as the players themselves. It’s a testament to sustained excellence, groundbreaking achievement, and the enduring power of a game that continues to celebrate its heroes. Even if it takes time for the full story to unfold. Today, the Hall of Fame shines a little brighter with the addition of these five deserving legends.
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