Caitlin Clark vs. Diana Taurasi 'beef,' explained: WNBA legend calls fans 'sensitive' for reaction to Clark criticism

Emily Dozier

•
Caitlin Clark vs. Diana Taurasi 'beef,' explained: WNBA legend calls fans 'sensitive' for reaction to Clark criticism image

Caitlin Clark did it all, just about. She broke countless scoring records, won multiple conference championships, and played in two national championship games. Unfortunately, she and Iowa fell short of both of those games.

Nevertheless, Clark is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. And as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark's reputation precedes her.

Some WNBA veterans are hesitant about her first season in the league, though, despite her accomplishments at Iowa.

In February, Sheryl Swoopes said she doesn't believe Clark will put up as many points in her rookie season as she did at Iowa where she averaged 31.6 points per game her senior year. That comment, as well as a few others regarding the Hawkeyes' scoring machine, angered Iowa fans, prompting them to create "Don't Be a Sheryl" t-shirts about the Naismith Hall of Famer.

Now, Diana Taurasi has a few things to say about Clark.

MORE: Caitlin Clark, Fever lead WNBA's national TV broadcast schedule

Caitlin Clark vs. Diana Taurasi 'beef,' explained

Let it be known that the Mercury veteran is a villain in the league. Kelsey Plum, who owned the DI women's scoring record before Clark broke it, referred to Taurasi as an "a**hole" on the court. "I love her swagger and her unapologetic demeanor," she continued. Many other players have also referred to Taurasi in their "welcome to the league" stories.

The beef, if you can call it that, between Taurasi and Clark came to life during Iowa's Final Four game against UConn. On the Bird & Taurasi Show, hosted by two UConn alums, Taurasi said that if Paige Bueckers and Clark were in the same draft class, she would take Bueckers No. 1.

“I’m taking Paige. Next question," Taurasi said. The Huskies' star was ranked the top prospect in 2020 class out of high school; Clark was ranked fourth. Of course, their college careers were vastly different

The night continued with NC State and South Carolina in the semifinals. At the end of the game, a fan sent a question to the show asking if Clark would shoot logo 3s under UConn coach Geno Auriemma. During the tournament, Clark revealed she originally wanted to go to Storrs to play college basketball, but Auriemma wasn't interested in recruiting her. 

"Hell no. Like, he didn’t even let us dribble," Taurasi said of her college coach. "We were playing triangle, pass, screen-away, pinch-post. No chance you’re doing that with Coach Auriemma. That’s just not the way he teaches basketball."

Then a day before the championship matchup between Iowa and South Carolina, Taurasi had a message for Clark as well as the future WNBA rookies.

"Reality is coming. There’s levels to this thing. And that’s just life. We all went through it. You see it on the NBA side and you’re going to see it on this side. You look superhuman playing 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come with some grown women who’ve been playing professional basketball for a long time,” Taurasi said.

MORE: Don't be surprised if Caitlin Clark is a WNBA All-Star as a rookie

That statement, which was only a snippet of her entire answer, got a lot of fans riled up, with some accusing Taurasi of hating on and being jealous of Clark. The reality is that Taurasi picks on other WNBA draftees, too, like Cameron Brink and Angel Reese. It's who she is as a competitor.

We'll find out how Taurasi feels about Clark when Phoenix plays Clark's Indiana for the first time on June 30. The Mercury certainly aren't shying away from the vet vs. rookie matchup.

At this point, Clark hasn't responded publicly to anything Taurasi has said about her, but you can bet fans will be tuned in on June 30 to see how she responds on the court.

Diana Taurasi doubles down on Caitlin Clark comments

Taurasi was asked about her comments regarding Clark not adjusting well to the WNBA potentially offending fans.

The Mercury star responded by saying the league's "new fans are really sensitive these days" and noting that "you can't say anything" before clarifying what she meant.

“It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten [to] first grade, there’s a learning adjustment," Taurasi said. "When you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment. I don’t think I said anything that’s factually incorrect. Like anything, greatness is going to translate. And she’s proven that in every level. And I don’t see it being any different in the WNBA.” 

Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.