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5 months ago
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UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma claimed that 'delusional fans' are to blame for setting Caitlin Clark up 'for failure' in the WNBA.
Despite bringing plenty of eyes to the league upon her entry, Clark has not received the warmest of welcomes from her fellow players. The narrative grew larger when Chicago's Chennedy Carter bodychecked Clark during their game on June 2.
In a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Auriemma sounded off on how the fans' lack of ball knowledge and unrealistic expectations could be a catalyst to something catastrophic towards the rookie's career.
'If you're a great college player like Caitlin was, the delusional fan base that follows her disrespected the WNBA players by saying that she's gonna go in that league and tear it apart,' the coach said.
'These people are so disrespectful and so unknowledgeable and so stupid that it gives women's basketball a bad name.'
UConn coach Geno Auriemma blamed 'delusional' fans for setting Caitlin Clark up 'for failure'
Auriemma argued that fans set false expectations for Clark upon her entry into the WNBA
'So the kid was set up for failure right from the beginning,' he added.
To add to the amplified physicality, Clark's college rival and Chicago rookie Angel Reese has actively been taking jabs at the No. 1 overall pick.
Aside from aiming at Clark on social media after a win over the New York Liberty in May, Reese said she embraced being the 'bad guy' after cheering Carter for throwing her shoulder into the former Iowa star.
Nevertheless, Auriemma credited the WNBA's newest star for taking the challenges in stride.
He also insisted that when Clark adjusts to the physicality of the pros, her skills will take over from there.
Clark was brutally bodychecked by Chicago's Chennedy Carter in their June 2 showdown
Auriemma credited Clark for taking the challenges of her rookie season in stride
The Fever have been off to a difficult start with a 2-9 record, sitting 11th in the WNBA standings
'I think she's handling it great,' Auriemma said. 'I think she talks a lot of s***, and she gets a lot of s*** back.
'She deserves everything she gets because she gives it as good as she gets it. She's just not built for the physicality of this league, and she's not quick enough to get away from the physicality.'
'When she gets it, she has elite skills that are going to help her,' Auriemma added. 'She needs to be on a better team, and she needs experience.'
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