As the most popular figure in the WNBA, it seems like there’s always some sort of controversy brewing around Caitlin Clark. It’s not because she welcomes it, but rather people just love to hate. Those critics now include legendary basketball coach Geno Auriemma.
Though rather than focus his comments on Clark, the longtime UConn coach took aim at the Indiana Fever star’s fans instead.
Geno Auriemma Says Caitlin Clark’s Controversies Aren’t Her Fault
While Auriemma’s focus is on coaching the Connecticut women’s basketball team, he’s also a fan of the game. He can’t help but notice the discourse taking place around the WNBA. Yet, he believes the issues actually stem from Clark’s “delusional” fans.
Speaking on the “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch” podcast, Auriemma went off.
“I said this, and I got a lotta criticism for it. 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,” Auriemma said. “You’re not going to have a Larry Bird or Magic Johnson effect on the court.”
Auriemma said he’s seen this before, albeit on a smaller scale, with past players such as Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart. Auriemma added, “When you’re the No. 1 pick, you better be ready because the [expletive] is going to hit the fan, and you’re going to have to deal with it.”
MORE: Indiana Fever Guard Claps Back at Caitlin Clark Fans, ‘Made Up Narratives’ on Social Media
In essence, Auriemma blames fans’ obsession with turning Clark’s popularity into a cause intertwined with racial issues.
“Because the bandwagon and the fandom became so obsessed with the whole thing, it turned into a cause,” Auriemma continued. “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.”
The 72-year-old noted that it’s gotten to the point where people believe Clark is the only one getting treated roughly by opponents. But he thinks that’s more of a product of where players are selected than anything.
“Caitlin Clark gets fouled hard — no [expletive], every first-round pick gets fouled hard,” Auriemma reasoned.
But he wasn’t done. Auriemma pointed out that “it’s not happening to Paige [Bueckers].” He says Clark also didn’t ask for any of this.
“So it’s that whole [expletive] storm of this is Jesus coming down to save the WNBA. She never stood up and said, ‘I’m Jesus, and I’m coming.’ This was not something created by her,” Auriemma said. “It was created about her by all the people in America who are delusional that think one player who’s not [Victor Wembanyama] is going to come in and transform the league.”
Auriemma closed his lengthy segment by adding that, “Yes, there are players in that league that would love to kick her [expletive] every minute of every day.” Yet, those feelings may be born out of “personal animosities” more than anything.
