The Phoenix Mercury forward recalled the adjustments she had to make in her rookie year.
Brittney Griner (L) and Caitlin Clark were the top picks in their respective drafts.
Caitlin Clark is a sporting and advertising phenomenon.The arrival of the former Iowa Hawkeye to the Indiana Fever has sparked all kinds of reactions among the media, fans, and players.
Among the latter, veteran Brittney Griner issued a stern warning to the rookie: Professional basketball is a different world.
In an interview with People magazine for the recent release of her book “Coming Home,” Griner admitted that the arrival of the 2024 draft class will be a turning poing for the WNBA.
“The hype that Caitlin and some others have right now is amazing for the league. There’s good talent coming in,” Griner accepted.
The Phoenix Mercury forward recalled that her arrival to the WNBA 10 years ago, as the first overall selection in the 2013 Draft, was very complicated for her.
Although Griner was called a “generational” talent, like Clark, she had to make serious adjustments to her game to adapt to professional basketball.
“It’s different when you come from college to the pros. I went from top dog to my numbers going down a bit,” Griner recalled.
The star forward went from averaging 22.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game with the Baylor Lady Bears to 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and one assist with the Mercury.
Clark will face tougher competition
Griner recalled that her first season as a professional was an “eye-opener” and warned Clark that the competition would be very different from what she faced in college.
“You’re going up against grown women. This is how they feed their families. This is not just for the love of the [game]. This is their livelihood,” the player explained.
She recalled when she arrived on the WNBA hardwood, “I had to get stronger, lock in a little more. There will be some growing [pains] for her, but she’ll be fine.”
Despite her respect for Clark, Griner admitted that she was not a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially when they reached the finals of the NCAA Tournament, where they faced the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Griner and coach Dawn Staley
The Mercury forward is an old friend of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.
Griner worked under Staley on Team USA, and the coach was one of her biggest supporters during her imprisonment in Russia.
“I saw [Staley] at the Final Four, right before the National Championship.
I told her, ‘Go get it. That’s yours,'” Griner recalled. “I just knew South Carolina was going to win,” said the forward.
News
NBA – The Lakers’ risky bet to attract a third star: “He wants a team…
NBA (DR) The objectives of the season having not been achieved, the leaders of the Lakers are currently increasing discussions internally and with competing franchises. Thus, rumors about the recruitment of a new star are circulating, even if the negotiations…
WNBA – In the midst of controversy, huge breakdown live on Caitlin Clark: “A White woman who…
Hawk Central (DR) Having just arrived in the WNBA as a phenomenon, Caitlin Clark is already linked to multiple controversies. And as if that wasn’t enough, a former US football star completely broke down on live TV when discussing his…
NBA – Bronny James to the Lakers with LeBron? A caption decides: “He still has a lot…
Fadeaway World (DR) / NBA (DR) Two weeks before the Draft, the potential arrival of Bronny James alongside his father LeBron with the Lakers is still debated. A franchise legend recently spoke about the prospect’s chances of landing in California….
Caitlin Clark Had The Coolest Reaction To Being Called A “White B****” By Pat McAfee
Caitlin Clark and Pat McAfee (Photos via Getty Images) Caitlin Clark has offered a reaction to being called a “White B-” by Pat McAfee, according to Pat Mcafee himself. The ESPN show host crossed a line on Monday when he referred to Clark as…
LeBron James Dropped A Very Interesting Comparison Between Himself And Caitlin Clark That Actually Makes A Ton Of Sense
LeBron James and Caitlin Clark (Photos via Getty Images) LeBron James understands firsthand the challenges that come with being a top-tier athlete facing racism and scrutiny. His own journey from a challenging background to becoming the No. 1 overall NBA draft…
Paris Olympics: LeBron James IG Post Causes Tremors , fans yearn for miracles to happen: “It’s coming…”
LeBron James will be returning to the court sooner than expected. Only this time, he will be representing his country at the Paris Olympics. It was less than a year ago when Team USA could surprisingly only secure the 4th rank at…
End of content
No more pages to load