Caitlin Clark knows who she loves to play against.
The WNBA Rookie of the Year revealed her favourite matchup in an interview with Nike and the answer is a player she has a history with.
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Caitlin Clark revealed her favourite matchup is Diana Taurasi
Clark dismissed any rumored feud or bad blood with WNBA legend Diana Taurasi after she hailed the star as her favourite opponent.
The Indiana Fever guard honoured Taurasi in a video when when asked about her favourite competitior, she nervously joked: “You’re gonna get me in trouble.
“Honestly, I’ll just say DT, because she’s such an icon in our sport and has been in the game for so long. You know, getting to share the court with her was pretty fun, and you just see her competitive spirit.
“Even though you’re not on her team, you can just feel it as a competitor.”
Taurasi created controversy last year when she suggested that Clark would struggle with the jump to professional level after her stellar NCAA season with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Reality is coming,” Taurasi said when asked what the WNBA would have in store when Clark arrived.
“There’s levels to this thing… You look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds but you’re gonna come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.
“Not saying it’s not gonna translate, because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better, but there is gonna be a transition period, where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”
Such comments created a sense of rivalry between Clark and Taurasi along with their respective teams, the Fever and Phoenix Mercury.
Ultimately, it would be Clark who would have the last laugh, winning all three matches her side played against Phoenix
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Diana Taurasi previously said there is levels between college basketball and the WNBA
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Caitlin Clark enjoyed a stellar debut season in the WNBA as her team reached the playoffsCredit: GETTY
In one of the games, Clark absolutely bossed Taurasi’s team, dropping 29 points in a 98-89 Fever win last August.
Following that win, Taurasi acknowledged Clark’s talent.
“It’s amazing what Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career. So far, just been nothing short of remarkable,” Taurasi remarked at that time.
“The one thing that I really love about her, she loves the game. You can tell she’s put the work in.
“And even throughout her short WNBA career, it’s been a lot of pressure, a lot of things thrown at her, and she keeps showing up and keeps getting better every single game.”
If there is any rivalry left, it’ll be renewed when the WNBA season kicks off this May, the Fever and Mercecy will first play each other on July. 31
