Diana Taurasi’s opinion prior to the first match against Caitlin Clark
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi looks down during the national anthem before a WNBA basketball gameAP
If there’s a career that Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese would aspire to mirror at the outset of their promising careers, it’s undoubtedly that of Diana Taurasi. Now in her 20th season in the WNBA, the 42-year-old Taurasi may be in her final year. Nicknamed “White Mamba” in homage to Kobe Bryant, Taurasi’s accolades are numerous and impressive, including three NCAA championships with the University of Connecticut, the 2004 Rookie of the Year award, three WNBA championships, five WNBA scoring titles, the 2009 WNBA MVP award, and two WNBA Finals MVPs, among many many others, even outside the US in Europe.
This season marks the 20th anniversary of Taurasi being selected as the first pick in the 2004 draft, a year in which she also won Rookie of the Year. Both Clark and Reese are frontrunners for this year’s Rookie of the Year award, with the competition narrowing to a two-horse race due to Cameron Brink’s injury. After a recent practice, Taurasi was asked about facing Caitlin Clark, to which she nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, it will be fun.”
Some on social media have speculated that Taurasi’s brief response might be due to jealousy over the attention Clark has received in her debut games, but this seems far-fetched. Taurasi is a legend whose impact on the WNBA is unparalleled, but the league has never had as much visibility as it does now. The upcoming game will undoubtedly be exciting, with both Taurasi and Clark averaging just over 16 points per game. Fans can expect both players, especially Taurasi, to aim for their season highs in this matchup.
Diana Taurasi on Caitlin Clark’s first drive to the basket pic.twitter.com/EgnmM9m5gL
— Monie🌹 (@xmonielove) April 9, 2024
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The highly anticipated game is set for Sunday, June 30, in Phoenix at 3:00 PM EST. Both teams have one game before then: Indiana, showing their best form of the season, faces a challenging matchup against Seattle tomorrow. Meanwhile, Phoenix will host the Cameron-less LA Sparks on Friday at 10:00 PM EST.
As Taurasi reflects on her illustrious career, the game against Clark serves as a symbolic passing of the torch to the next generation of WNBA stars. This matchup not only highlights the evolution of women’s basketball but also emphasizes the importance of seasoned veterans mentoring and challenging new talents.
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Before the match, Clark and her teammates showcased their unique pregame outfits as they left their hotel, drawing admiration from fans.
Social media was abuzz with comments praising Clark’s latest look, highlighting her influence both on and off the court.
One fan commented “All so incredible” on X, while others expressed their admiration with heart emojis.
The Fever, looking to rebound from a narrow 88-87 defeat to the Chicago Sky, are set to face the Storm, who recently triumphed over the Connecticut Sun with a 72-61 victory.
As the Fever aim to improve their 7-11 record and climb the Eastern Conference standings, every game becomes crucial.
The team’s standout rookie has been instrumental this season.
Clark ranks fifth among WNBA rookies in points, rebounds, and assists per game.
In her recent game against the Sky, Clark recorded her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 assists.
Clark named Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year
On the day of the Fever-Storm game Clark was named Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, an accolade she also received in 2023.
This recognition comes on the heels of her standout college career, where she led Iowa to consecutive Final Four appearances and earned the consensus national player of the year title
