The two-time consensus college basketball player of the year, Caitlin Clark, is undoubtedly navigating an adaptation phase in the WNBA. Following her inaugural two professional games, the former Iowa luminary has posted a mere 30.5 percent shooting clip from the field while coughing up 13 turnovers.
On Thursday, Clark reflected on the physicality and accelerated tempo of the pro ranks, per Michael Voepel of ESPN.com.
“The physicality is definitely elevated. … I’m easily dislodged from screens,” Clark remarked. “The game appears swifter than I had envisioned at this juncture. As I accumulate more playing time and become more at ease, it should decelerate somewhat. It will become more manageable for me to interpret reads and discern developing situations.”
Clark’s comments preceded her team’s 102-66 home defeat at the hands of the New York Liberty. She mustered nine points on a 2-of-8 shooting performance, complemented by seven rebounds and six assists in her inaugural outing before the Fever faithful.
Clark tallied 20 points in her debut against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday but relinquished 10 turnovers in a 92-71 setback.
Through two games, Clark has averaged 14.5 points on 27.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a lofty 6.5 turnovers.
“When you’re in this league, there are 12 teams—every squad is formidable across the board,” Clark stated before the Liberty clash. “We’ve got a young group. But as long as we’re learning and continuously improving, that’s what’s going to be positive for us.”
Clark and the Fever will have a rematch against the Liberty on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, this time on the road in New York.