Instead of the Connecticut Sun’s red-hot start or A’ja Wilson’s early dominance, the prevailing conversation about the WNBA thus far this season has seemed to be focused on one rookie — Caitlin Clark — and the rest of the league’s treatment of her.
WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi came under scrutiny for saying Clark would have a transition period when she entered the WNBA. Earlier in the year, WNBA legend and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes also received public backlash for saying more of the same.
Despite these players’ observations, a sector of fans has weaponized the comments to the point where women’s basketball players and coaches across the game are chiming in.
“You have to really focus on doing your research, and that’s for everyone,” Taurasi told CBS Sports.
Taurasi is the latest player to add her voice to the chorus. She joins players like Aces forward Alysha Clark, Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike and her Phoenix teammate Natasha Cloud — to name a few — who want newer WNBA fans to respect and appreciate the players in the league and the level of competition required to compete night after night.
Although Taurasi hadn’t heard the comments her former UConn coach Geno…
