Caitlin Clark gets a wake-up call from WNBA defenders: Brutal foul by Connecticut Sun

The Indiana Fever got steamrolled by the Sun in the season opener, and Rachel Banham welcomed Clark.

Caitlin Clark was met with aggressive defense by the Connecticut Sun.LAPRESSE

Caitlin Clark‘s WNBA career didn’t get off to the start that she likely always envisioned. Her Indiana Fever team was handed a 21-point loss, Clark turned the ball over 10 times and expectations for the rest of the year have sharply lowered.

Clark ended up scoring 20 points, which is impressive for any rookie, but the former Iowa star has sky-high projections placed on her. Her hype within the national media appears to have put a target on her back, too. Clark was given a harsh welcome by the Connecticut Sun defenders during the game, particularly by Rachel Banham on one drive to the basket.

Caitlin Clark faces triple team and hard foul from Connecticut Sun in WNBA debut

Connecticut Sun give rough welcome to Caitlin Clark

We’re certainly not in college anymore. WNBA legends like Diana Taurasi and Sheryl Swoopes have mentioned in the past that Clark will have a learning curve to start her career because she must get used to playing against “grown women“.

Banham definitely qualifies, as she’s a 30-year-old veteran who was a star in college and plays hard in her limited minutes on WNBA courts. But Banham isn’t even close to the biggest foe Clark will have to face on a nightly basis.

Banham is 5-9, 172 pounds and plays guard. Clark will be met at the rim on drives by much bigger and stronger defenders. She’ll have to get used to taking the physicality more frequently than she did in college.

Caitlin Clark’s Confident Attitude Ahead of WNBA Debut: “It Doesn’t Really Feel Like My First Game”

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever, WNBA Debut (Image source Getty Images)
In a recent interview, the current basketball sensation Caitlin Clark opened up about her mindset before entering the WNBA. Clark is set to make her debut for the Indiana Fever against the Connecticut Sun after completing 12 camp practices. She expressed her excitement for her professional career and emphasized the importance of embracing the process and consistently improving.

“I am excited; I think this is the best way to do it; just get out there and go for it. It doesn’t really feel like my first game. I feel like it’s just kind of another basketball game that you prepare for in the same way you always have. For me, it’s like this is basketball, you just go play basketball, have fun doing it, and I think the result will be good.” Caitlin Clark said.

Clark is confident about the debut and said that she doesn’t see any difference

Clark doesn’t see any difference between playing in college and the WNBA. She said the new environment will not scare her or impact her game. She will enjoy it just as she did in her college career.

“I don’t think it’s any different than college. I’ve played in front of sold-out crowds literally every single game, so these environments don’t scare me or impact me at all. I think it’s just embrace it and enjoy it.” Clark continued.

Clark mentioned that every player can only play their debut game once, which is why she wants to fully enjoy the experience. Playing on the biggest platform is her dream, and this is what she has worked for. She also said that she is ready for this challenge.

“This is what you’ve worked for and dreamed of. Now you get to put your jersey on for the first real-time and go out there and play. We get to play on the biggest stage; there’s going to be a lot of people there, and it’s going to be loud. But you only play your first WNBA game once. I think I want to enjoy it. It’s gonna be competitive. They’re really good, so you’ve got to prep the right way, too. More than anything, we’re ready for the challenge.” Clark added.

The highly anticipated debut game of the popular player is just hours away. Caitlin Clark, who has a strong fan base, attracted a large audience a few weeks ago during the NCAA women’s tournament championship game against South Carolina. The game set new records for viewership, with an average of 18.7 million viewers and a peak of 24 million.