SYNOPSIS
Caitlin Clark is coming. A maelstrom accompanies her every on-court twitch; one must remember that she is merely a rookie. Like the thousands that have gone before her in both men’s and women’s professional basketball, Clark will adjust and improve as she garners more experience. Undoubtedly, she will be an excellent player and one of the faces in the league. It won’t be so solely because of her race. Resemblant to Maravich and Mount, her skin tone alone wouldn’t bring her to or sustain this magnitude. Pulitzer Prize-winning radio host and journalist Karen Hunter recently interviewed USC professor and longtime sports broadcaster Rob Parker on SiriusXM Urban View. Parker said, “Clark was making ‘logo 3s’.” Her long-range marksmanship is a drawing card to many in today’s game. As a pure shooter, she is adroit. The Indiana Fever guard is gifted. She will move the turnstiles at home and on the road, but there is no way possible to carry her current franchise far. Not now. Clark, young power forward Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell are beginning to coalesce as teammates.
Anyone who insinuates she should receive preferential treatment solely due to the publicity she brings to the league is anathema. This is not her time to be an Olympian. Roderick Morrow, radio host/intellectual/long-time podcaster, quipped, “DEI [would be in] full effect if she is added to the Olympic squad!” Simply put, there are too many other talented women in the WNBA for Clark to enter international play. She may be prepared by the next Olympiad (2028). Note that time waits for no one, as a group of young ladies in the collegiate ranks, will be arriving prepared to contend (e.g., Juju Watkins, Paige Bueckers, Aneesah Morrow, Kiki Ifiaren).
Contrary to the opinion of detractors, the WNBA will continue to thrive. Many outstanding women have made the league what it is today: Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Maya Moore, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird, Candace Parker, Brittney Griner, Tina Thompson, Nneka Ogwumike, Becky Hammon, A’Ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu, to name a few.
Bumps, bruises, collisions, tendon strains, and occasionally concussions are par for the course. The stakes are elevated, and playing slots are finite. Ask Chicago Sky standout rookie Angel Reese (WNBA leader in offensive rebounds), Rickea Jackson of the L.A. Sparks, Aaliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics), or Kamila Cardoso (Chicago Sky). All are making an excellent transition to the professional echelon. Clark and Reese (a virtual “double-double” every night) are leading contenders for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
Clark has the grit to be a solid professional. She will get even better. For those holding her up as some emblem for their political narratives, think again. She has candidly scoffed at such rhetoric. Clark recently said, “[Racist or misogynistic] comments are ‘not acceptable.’” She continued, “People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable,” Clark said when asked about the comments. “Treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect, I think, it’s just a basic human thing that everybody should do.” [8]
Caitlin’s trajectory can summon her in any direction. Time will tell. However, it will only be predicated upon the merits of her play. When there’s contact on her driving to the lane, it’s not a hate crime. When an opponent converses with her in the heat of a battle, there’s no need for a congressional hearing. No electoral college, town hall meeting, or popular vote will grant her membership among the game’s elite. Clark merely wants to play ball. She must earn her place in the annals of this great game. Nary, a step will go uncontested.
A rookie surtax is mandatory in the big leagues, and the toll must be paid.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(1) Pluto, Terry. “Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association.” Simon & Schuster. New York (1990) pp. 226, 313
(2) Korbrin Sandra, Levin, J. “The Glass Closet.” The Los Angeles Times. August 21, 2005 (3) Rosvoglou, Chris. “Retired WNBA Star Has Volunteered To Be Caitlin Clark’s Enforcer.” The Spun. June 6, 2024
(4) Kriegel, Mark. “Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich.” Free Press/Simon & Schuster. New York (2007) pp. 208, 211
(5) Montieth, Mark. “Trade Demands In Indiana Have A Way of Working Themselves Out.” Indianapolis Business Journal. August 11, 2023
(6) Habeeb, Lee. “College Hoops Legend Pete Maravich: A Cautionary–and Redemptive–Tale.” Newsweek. March 26, 2024
(7) Kirkpatrick, Curry. “No One Can Cap The Pistol: Twilight for Pete Maravich, Hoops’ Most Talented Loser.” Sports Illustrated (si.com). October 23, 2014.
(8) ESPN Staff Writer. “Caitlin Clark Speaks Out Against Racist, Misogynistic Comments.” ESPN.COM. June 14, 2024.
