Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark continues to thrive in the WNBA. During Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Aces, the 24-year-old playmaker made history by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 600 assists, doing so in 72 games.
Clark is currently averaging 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. She's seventh in the league in scoring and second in assists, earning her third All-Star berth in the process.
Despite her success, however, controversy has followed her. In fact, she was recently involved in a viral incident. During a June 24 game against the Phoenix Mercury, forward Alyssa Thomas hit Clark in the throat while the Fever guard was down.
No foul was called on the play, but the WNBA later reviewed the incident and ruled it a Flagrant 2 foul. Thomas was suspended for one game as a result.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Sports Columnist Critical of Caitlin Clark Treatment in WNBA
The incident and ensuing punishment, nonetheless, sparked more conversation about Clark's treatment in the WNBA. Christine Brennan of USA Today even published an opinion piece arguing that the league has failed to embrace Clark's stardom and has allowed her to be targeted by her peers.
"For three seasons now, in ways big and small, the WNBA and its players have continued to show their unabashed jealousy, disdain and outright hatred for the greatest thing to happen to them," Brennan wrote about the WNBA's treatment of Clark in her column.
She added, "The hit parade against Clark started way before this: A brutal hip check from Chennedy Carter in Clark’s rookie year, an eye poke from Jacy Sheldon and a freight train of a shove from Marina Mabrey last year. Cheap shots all. No one was ever suspended. Other fouls were not called. Clark argues with the refs, of course, and throws up her hands, something she has done since high school and AAU ball and definitely overdoes at times, although rarely is she wrong in her complaint."
Dick Vitale Not Happy With Caitlin Clark's 'Sad' Situation
Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale saw Brennan's opinion piece recently and couldn't help but agree with what she wrote. The ESPN broadcaster said on social media that "it is unbelievable" what Clark is going through in the WNBA before calling out the commissioner for not doing anything about it.
In a separate post, Vitale wrote, "It is really sad the way @CaitlinClark22 is treated by many in the @WNBA she has been the leader for the league in many ways - PR - tv interest etc come on those that are critical - she deserves to be treated like ROYALTY!"
For what it's worth, Vitale has been a staunch supporter of Clark. Just last week, he said that it "absolutely makes no sense" that Clark is "targeted in such a negative manner by many of her peers" when she has helped grow the league.
