Caitlin Clark, the highly anticipated rookie from Iowa High, finally made her WNBA debut. Indiana Fever drafted Clark, and she made her debut on the opening night of the WNBA. Fever lost the match against the Connecticut Suns by a scoreline of 92-71. But there was a lot of hype and buzz surrounding Clark’s WNBA debut. The 22-year-old’s performance garnered attention, but sadly, not in a positive way.

Clark’s high school career was amazing. Her scoring and shooting ability beyond the arc were remarkable. People regarded Clark as one of the best WNBA prospects, but when she entered the draft, many questioned her athleticism and lack of speed. After her debut, the questions about Clark’s athleticism turned into chaos in mere moments. Caitlin Clark scored 20 points and was involved in 3 rebounds, while her shooting efficiency was questionable. She could score only four 3-pointers out of the 11 attempts. With Fever losing the game, Clark started receiving negative comments as fans targeted her lack of speed.

However, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green came to Clark’s rescue. In an episode of NBA on TNT. Green said, “Everybody talks about how she’s not fast enough and all these things.” Green challenged this narrative, highlighting the impact of an exceptional shooting ability. “When you shoot the ball that well, it’s automatically going to make you faster because people have to press up, and it gives you that extra half a step that you need to get by.” 

Green’s comments tell us a lot about judging female athletes. They are judged on their physical attributes and are often overlooked by their male counterparts. Hence, even if Caitlin Clark lacked the lightning speed or physical abilities of male players, her shooting prowess is an important weapon on the court.

A star is born: Caitlin Clark’s debut and her journey ahead

Indiana Fever lost the match, but Caitlin Clark showed us glimpses of her talent. She finished her game with 20 points, even though it was her first experience in the world of professional basketball. Clark has performed well in high school basketball averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per match, but now, she has to play in the WNBA. And that requires adjustments and adaptability.

Draymond Green’s defense of Clark exemplifies the growing respect for the WNBA and its rising stars. Let’s not forget that Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and countless other NBA legends had their share of growing pains in their first seasons. Clark’s journey has just begun. With her talent, work ethic, and support from stars like Draymond Green, she will be a player to watch out for in the upcoming years.

What’s your take on Draymond Green backing Caitlin Clark’s prospects in the league? Let us know in the comments below.