UConn’s Geno Auriemma thinks Caitlin Clark is being ‘targeted’ in the WNBA after Chennedy Carter

UConn’s Geno Auriemma thinks Caitlin Clark is being ‘targeted’ in the WNBA after incident with Chennedy Carter

UConn’s Geno Auriemma Thinks Caitlin Clark is Being 'Targeted' in the WNBA After Incident with Chennedy Carter

In a recent game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, an incident involving rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and forward Chennedy Carter has sparked significant debate and concern within the basketball community. Longtime UConn women’s basketball coach, Geno Auriemma, has weighed in on the matter, asserting that Clark is being “targeted” during her inaugural WNBA season.

The incident in question occurred late in the third quarter of the Fever’s contest against the Sky. Carter delivered a hard hip-check to Clark, knocking her to the ground from behind. Initially ruled a common foul, the league later reviewed the play and upgraded it to a flagrant foul, subsequently fining Carter $1,000. The physical altercation was the culmination of a game-long tension between the two players, which escalated significantly with Carter's actions.

Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon addressed the incident in a statement, acknowledging that Carter’s actions were inappropriate and not representative of the team's values. “Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game,” Weatherspoon said. “She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are.”

Following the game, Carter initially refused to discuss the incident with Clark, a move Auriemma criticized as “junior high stuff.” Later, Carter stated she had "no regrets" about the foul, framing it within the context of competitive play. “At the end of the day, it's all love outside of basketball,” Carter explained. “When we're in those four lines, it's smoke. After, it's all love.”

Clark, meanwhile, has maintained a relatively low profile regarding the incident. Rather than dwell on the altercation, she has focused on her performance and the challenges of her rookie season. Despite the Fever’s struggles, with a current record of 2-9 and a recent 104-68 loss to the New York Liberty, Clark has posted impressive stats, averaging 15.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Auriemma, reflecting on Clark’s treatment, compared her situation to that of past NBA greats. He argued that legendary players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson did not face the same kind of targeting and physicality during their rookie seasons despite their immediate impact and the attention they garnered. “I don’t remember when Jordan came into the [NBA], guys looking to go out and beat him up,” Auriemma said. “I don’t remember when Bird and Magic came into the league and elevated the NBA, them getting targeted and beat up just because of who they were and the attention they were getting.”

Auriemma suggested that Clark’s targeting might be a consequence of her rapid rise and the heightened visibility she has brought to the WNBA, noting that her exceptional college career at Iowa and her record-breaking viewership figures have set her apart. “Appreciate the fact that now’s the time [for the WNBA]. I get it. It’s long overdue. Why are you blaming that kid? It’s not her fault, because you would trade places with her in a minute, but you are not there. You’re not her. So you’re [complaining] that she's getting what she’s getting.”

As Clark continues to navigate her rookie season, the scrutiny and physicality she faces may persist. However, her ability to stay focused and perform at a high level amid these challenges highlights her resilience and potential to become a transformative figure in the league.