Geno Auriemma explains why Caitlin Clark is struggling in WNBA: ‘Not built for the physicality’

WNBA

By Dylan Svoboda

Geno Auriemma has some thoughts on Caitlin Clark’s slow start to her WNBA career.

On Wednesday, the legendary UConn women’s basketball head coach discussed the Indiana Fever star rookie on “The Dan Patrick Show,” claiming that Clark was “set up for failure right from the beginning” of her professional debut. 

“This kid’s on the wrong team, she’s got the wrong skill set to handle the physicality of that league, and she’s a rookie,” Auriemma said.

Clark has averaged 15.6 points and 6.4 assists during the Fever’s disappointing 2-9 start.

She’s already had several on-court incidents with opposing players, most notably when she was shoved to the floor by the Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter during a win on Saturday.

Despite the rough start, Auriemma, who signed a five-year, $18.7 million contract extension with the Huskies this week, believes that it’s only a matter of time until Clark flourishes in the league. 

“I think she’s handling [it] great,” Auriemma added. “I think she talks a lot of s–t and she gets a lot of s–t back, so she deserves everything she gets because she gives it as good as she gets it. She’s just not built for the physicality of this league. And she’s not quick enough to get away from the physicality. 

“So there’s a lot of learning curve, like Diana [Taurasi] said. And when she gets it, she has elite skills that are gonna really help her. But she needs to be on a better team and she needs to be more experienced.

“And that will come.”

The No. 1 overall draft pick has been open about the physical play she’s dealt with thus far in her NBA career. 

“I feel like I’m getting hammered, I don’t know,” Clark said after a game in late May against the Storm.

The Fever’s next game is on Friday against the Mystics, who are winless this season.