Caitlin Clark’s limitless range and prolific scoring have often drawn comparisons to 4-time NBA champion Stephen Curry. Other experts beg to differ, noting that Curry can generate shots off the ball, whereas Clark needs the ball in her hands to score.
Best-selling author and sports analyst David Dennis Jr. is among those who feel the Clark-Curry comparison is way overboard, suggesting that her current abilities are on the same level as those of the Washington Wizards’ Trae Young.
Why David Dennis Jr. Believes Caitlin Clark’s Career Path Resembles Trae Young’s
Dennis, the author of the best-selling book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride,” opined that Clark and Curry remain far apart on many issues.
The sports analyst, who is also a senior writer for Andscape, noted that Clark’s play and career trajectory are more similar to Young’s, who holds the ball for extended periods before launching his offense.
“Meanwhile: Caitlin Clark. whew. There’s a wide gulf between Trae Young and Stephen Curry. The former is still really really good. But bad turnovers and being FOOD on defense is not going to get it done. She’s gotta learn to get off ball and cause chaos on defenses. This ain’t it,” Dennis posted.
Meanwhile: Caitlin Clark. whew. There’s a wide gulf between Trae Young and Stephen Curry. The former is still really really good. But bad turnovers and being FOOD on defense is not going to get it done. She’s gotta learn to get off ball and cause chaos on defenses. This ain’t it.
— David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) June 20, 2026
Though Young’s abilities are exciting to watch in every game, his tendency to make poor offensive decisions has cost his former team, the Atlanta Hawks, some winnable games during their playoff runs from 2021 to 2023.
On defense, his small stature has made him a frequent target for switches on the wing and for mismatches in the paint.
The same goes for Clark. As she demands the ball to maneuver on the court, it takes a large chunk of the shot clock before she decides. Although these plays make her the hero in some instances, they also put her in a bad light when the play fails or the team loses.
Despite his high production, Young tends to be erratic, averaging 4.2 turnovers per game in his NBA career. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 4.7 turnovers per game.
Last season, Young played only 10 games for the Hawks due to a right MCL sprain. He was traded to the Wizards in January for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum and suited up for 5 more games before being shut down for the rest of the season because of a right quadriceps contusion and lower-back irritation.
Clark has averaged 19.1 points and 8.4 assists over 3 seasons with the Indiana Fever, but her ball-heavy style has led to 5.3 turnovers per game. She has often struggled with isolation plays and pick-and-roll switches, as opposing teams have targeted her to wear her down and force turnovers.
All is not lost for Clark, according to Dennis. He urged the Fever to design plays that emphasize off-ball movement to create catch-and-shoot opportunities for Clark.
Indiana has combo guard Kelsey Mitchell to relieve Clark of most ball-handling duties. The Fever also have Aliyah Boston, who can set screens to give Clark plenty of space to operate.
If Clark and her teammates perfect the scheme that helped Curry master his long-range game, opposing teams would be forced to devise another plan to stop her.
She still has a long way to go in her career to improve on both sides of the court, and it’s up to the Indiana coaching staff and team management to help their superstar prolong her career and emulate Curry.
