Caitlin Clark compares the WNBA and college
After two days at practice, Fever player Caitlin Clark talks about how different the pros are compared to college.
Sports Seriously
Four Indiana Fever players scored in double figures, led by 21 from NaLyssa Smith, and the Fever erased as much as a 15-point deficit as it topped the Atlanta Dream, 83-80, in its second preseason game.
The Fever will open the regular season at the Connecticut Sun on May 14. Indiana’s home opener — also known as the home regular debut of No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark — takes place May 16 vs. the New York Liberty.
Clark had a rough shooting night Thursday against Atlanta, but still finished with an impressive stat line: 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists. She went just 4-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-9 from 3, but distributed the ball well (she’ll beat herself up about her six turnovers). She led the Fever in rebounding, an impressive feat for the 6-foot guard.
Six Atlanta players scored eight points or more, with Rhyne Howard leading the Dream with 13 points. Atlanta shot lights out in the first quarter, almost 70%, but cooled considerably after that, and in its final possession, could not get a shot off, turning the ball over with 1.9 seconds to play.
As usual, Caitlin Clark was her own worst critic.
After Indiana held on for an 83-80 preseason win over the Atlanta Dream, Clark told the media, “I don’t think I was that effective (scoring), honestly.”
The top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft said it with a wry smile, a reference to her 2-of-9 shooting performance from the perimeter.
Clark did quite a lot besides scoring though, racking up eight rebounds and dishing six assists. (She also finished with 12 points, so it’s not like she went scoreless or anywhere close to it.) She said getting a clean look can be tough in the pros, because opponents pick her up defensively full court and are extremely physical with her, especially as she’s coming off screens. It’s an adjustment, and one she’s learning how to do better every day.
But before Clark could critique herself anymore, teammate NaLyssa Smith jumped in.
“I’m gonna piggyback and say, she was effective, she was pushing us, getting us open shots, passing ahead,” Smith said. “Everyone’s gonna focus on the scoring, but she does a lot for us: She gets the ball where it needs to be. If you run the floor you better look up, because the ball is coming.”
Caitlin Clark shot 2-for-9 from 3-point range against the Dream.
The Fever rallied from 15 down in the second quarter to prevail and improve to 1-1 on the preseason.
Former Iowa Hawkeyes teammates Clark and Marshall had a moment on the court following the Indiana Fever’s preseason win.
One thing about Caitlin Clark: she stuffs stat sheets both loudly and quietly.
It’s easy to be enamored with Clark’s game when she’s draining 3s and finishing touch drives in the paint. But even on a rough shooting night — she’s 4-of-12 from the field and just 2-of-9 from 3 — Clark is doing so much. Through three quarters she has 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Will she get to a triple double? It’s absolutely within reach.
As Clark does a little bit of everything, Atlanta is struggling. After shooting 68.8% the first quarter, the Dream have connected on just 26% (11-of-42) of its attempts as Indiana has surged ahead, 70-66.
Caitlin Clark was famous for her 3-point attempts from well beyond the arc during her time at Iowa, and it appears she’s bringing the long-range shot to the WNBA.
I’m sure that first 3-pointer of the night for Caitlin Clark felt good.
After starting 0-of-4 from deep, Clark finally connected on her first 3 with 3:41 to play in the first half, hitting a step back, 26-footer to pull the Fever within eight.
At halftime, Atlanta is clinging to a 49-48 lead.
Indiana’s NaLyssa Smith took over for a stretch, and already has 14 points and four rebounds — a huge reason why the Fever were able to able to erase a…
This article was originally published by a www.usatoday.com . Read the Original article here. .