The Caitlin Clark discourse has been a polarizing subject ever since she was selling out arenas for the Iowa Hawkeyes. At the time, the players themselves didn’t give her much of a chance of success in the WNBA.
But so far, she has done an admirable job through the first few years of her career. However, UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma still has some disparaging views about what the conversation around Clark is like. Unfortunately, a good chunk of the women’s basketball fan base doesn’t see eye to eye with him on it.
Geno Auriemma Isn’t Shying Away From the Caitlin Clark Discourse
One of the most legendary figures in college basketball, Auriemma holds the record for most wins and championships in NCAA history. For over four decades, he has kept the Huskies at the top of the pyramid in women’s basketball, shaping the careers of some of the all-time greats.
As a result, his voice carries a lot of weight in the sport. However, he recently had some disparaging comments against Clark while making an appearance on Richard Deitsch’s podcast.
“I said the Caitlin Clark fans in America are delusional who think she’s going to go in there and as a player totally turn the WNBA on its ear. Like you’re going to have a Larry Bird effect on the NBA on the court or a Magic Johnson effect on court. No, you’re not.”
Instead of it being a race issue or her style of play, Auriemma argued that it was all about the step-up in level of competition going from college basketball to the pros. Moreover, he confessed that he had a similar message for his star players as well. T
“You’re not built for it right now, and the treatment you’re going to get because of the hype. Just like I told Sue [Bird] the same thing when she was coming out, and Stewie and all the guys on my team, that when they came out: When you’re the number one pick, you better be ready because the [expletive] is going to hit the fan and you’re going to have to deal with it.”
But rather than the conversation remaining rooted in basketball, it has twisted into something ugly. Auriemma believed that some of the fan base had turned the situation toxic, as it became a polluted conversation about race and discrimination.
“But because the bandwagon and the fandom became so obsessed with the whole thing, it turned into a cause. She became the reason why white players get beat up in the WNBA and she became the reason why Black players don’t get the endorsements and don’t get the adulation that white players get.”
Those problems have now permeated to the on-court dealings as well. “So instead of it becoming Caitlin Clark gets fouled hard – no [expletive], every first-round draft pick gets fouled hard. Not every foul is a good foul. Not every foul’s a bad foul. But there are fouls that are flagrant. But that’s all they are. They are not a referendum on America, which is what the whole goddamn thing has become.”
He made a point of clarifying that most of the problems stemmed from people online. And, he absolved Clark of the blame, reiterating that she hadn’t said or done anything to deserve such treatment, both reverential and vile.
The 12-time NCAA champion was willing to admit, though, “I do think there are some personal animosities in that league where people are going to take a shot at her unfairly. No question about that. Anybody can deny it all they want.”
However, he wasn’t sure that it needed to be an issue of national importance every week. “It shouldn’t be a national referendum, and yes, there are players in that league that would love to kick her ass every minute of every day.”
The Backlash to Auriemma
The same people that Auriemma was directly criticizing may have proven his point in a beautiful irony. It didn’t take long for his comments to go viral, as everyone had an opinion on it. While a small majority agreed with his nuanced vision, others blasted him to shreds.
Some, though, dismissed the entire point that Auriemma has vitriol against the former Rookie of the Year. “Geno always talking/hating on CC smh,” one fan wrote, while adding other interviews and media appearances from the Basketball Hall of Famer as proof.
It wasn’t a singular instance, though, as despite his emphasis on Clark not being at fault, Indiana Fever beat writer Robin Lundberg complained, “Shouldn’t Geno Auriemma be above harboring resentment for Caitlin Clark due to things that have nothing to do with her, or at best excusing it?”
During his spiel, Auriemma pointed to the impact Tiger Woods had on the PGA and believed Clark wasn’t achieving that level. However, all the metrics of fan interest, from television ratings to attendance numbers, have shown a marked rise centered around the Fever superstar.
As a result, one fan argued, “I love Geno, and I think he has valid points, BUT she did change the league a lot. More money paid to players, better travel, more TV exposure, not sure how he can see she did not change the league. It changed more because of her than at any time in its history!”
One particular fan may have explained Auriemma’s point to a tee. Rather than engaging with his discussion, they immediately resorted to name-calling and arguing about points the veteran head coach had specifically rejected.
“Guess what, Geno! We love her even more! She doesn’t have the UCONN privilege or your support, and she makes you look like a fool! She stays graceful and classy. The traits you petulant bitter narcissistic old man is lacking.”
At the same time, some people could see the point Auriemma was trying to make. Some even argued against the folks trying to paint the legendary head coach in a negative light. Instead, they found a lot of mutual ground with him.
“I don’t know how people are reading this and saying Geno is bitter? He really doesn’t say anything bad about CC here, in fact, he stands up for her. The only thing I might disagree with is the gravity of her coming into the league and creating change.”
Another fan made a similar statement, adding, “It’s so crazy how people live in a different world, I think this is pretty fair and people in the comments are acting like he tried to kick her out the W or something.”
It remains to be seen if the gravity of Auriemma and his well-structured thoughts can change the conversation around one of the most dynamic faces in sports. But, as the immediate reaction suggested, people will remain divided over Clark at least in the near future.
