The 2024 WNBA season introduced fans to Caitlin Clark, a rookie sensation who is just as fiery with her words as she is with her three-point shooting. Drafted first overall, Clark wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard and, just as effectively, lighting up her opponents’ tempers. In less than 10 games, she’s already put up a 30-point game, multiple 20+ point performances, and a verbal highlight reel that could rival an action movie.
But while her buckets grab the headlines, it’s her trash-talking that’s making waves—and not just on social media.
Geno Auriemma: “She Talks a Lot of Sh*t”
In a recent interview, legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma, the man with more national championships than most have pairs of shoes, weighed in on Clark’s in-game antics. And guess what? He’s all for it.
“When people ask, ‘Why are they beating up on Caitlin Clark?’ it’s because she talks a lot of sh*t,” Auriemma said bluntly during an appearance on the Make A Difference podcast. The coaching icon made it clear that Clark isn’t exactly getting bullied out of nowhere; she’s stirring the pot herself. “That’s what makes her good. She’s not this angel out there, and everyone’s picking on her for no reason.”
Auriemma even likened her to another talker, UConn’s own Paige Bueckers, adding, “They’ve both got a lot to say. They just do it subtly. They’re tough—and that’s good for the game.”
Trash-Talking as a Superpower
Let’s be real: Caitlin Clark’s game doesn’t need any extra spice, but she’s serving it up anyway. Whether she’s hitting logo-range threes, screaming at the crowd, or having some ‘polite discussions’ with defenders, her fiery passion fuels her performance. But not everyone’s a fan.
Earlier this season, Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter had enough of Clark’s running mouth. During a game against the Indiana Fever, Carter threw a shoulder into Clark, resulting in a flagrant foul—and probably an eye-roll from Clark. It didn’t help that the two had been chirping at each other all game. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when trash talk turns into physical confrontation, well, there you go.
Even Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon couldn’t resist throwing her two cents in on Clark’s verbal game. “No one talks more crap than Caitlin,” Hammon quipped. “Players today don’t hold back.”
Ruffling Feathers, Growing the Game
Clark’s bravado isn’t just good for her stat sheet; it’s also breathing new life into the long-running conversation about trash talk in women’s sports. LSU star Angel Reese, known for her own spicy exchanges, has been outspoken about how this kind of behavior is embraced in men’s sports but sometimes frowned upon in the women’s game. Reese argues that trash-talking builds rivalries, pulls in fans, and should be normalized.
And Caitlin Clark? She’s leading that charge, one trashy remark at a time.
Whether you love her bold personality or can’t stand the sight of her chirping at opponents after draining another impossible three, one thing’s for sure: Caitlin Clark is here to stay. And she’s going to talk as much trash as she wants while she does it.
Love her or hate her, Clark’s changing the game—and having the last word while doing it.
