With the 2024 WNBA season nearing the halfway point, now is as good a time as any to take a look back and reflect on what has surprised us.
Every year is an adventure, and while some things continue to remain same, there have been some changes in the league that I wasn’t prepared for. Here are the ones that stood out the most:
The aftereffects of the Caitlin Clark Effect
We all knew Caitlin Clark’s entry into the WNBA would be a big deal. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever has many fans, tremendous talent and is an electrifying player. However, none of us could’ve been prepared for how out of control the circus has been.
Somehow, she’s been viewed as the hero, the villain and the martyr all rolled into one. She’s become a lightning rod for discussion about race, privilege and overall respect for and knowledge about the women who play the sport.
When something goes from indie to mainstream, growing pains always come along with such a transition. However, this one has been particularly ugly to watch. I think it’s telling that Clark doesn’t want to be held responsible for the…
