Tension has been growing between Caitlin Clark and DiJonai Carrington recently. Although many would hope that this feud will soon simmer down, it is looking rather unlikely. This comes fresh off the back of Clark’s previous back-and-forth drama with Angel Reese.
With Clark now being at the centre of two rivalries, she has made quite the stir, whether it is her fault or not. As friction mounts and media coverage propels, this could just be the beginning of a bigger drama. So, here’s everything you need to know about the clash between these two prospects.
Foul or Embellishment?
Caitlin Clark has burst onto the college basketball scene in recent years, earning widespread acclaim for her remarkable skills and impressive performances. The talented point guard played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she dominated opposing teams and rewrote the record books. Her impressive stats and clutch shooting ability have made her a fan favourite and a household name among basketball enthusiasts. Clark’s incredible career at Iowa has cemented her status as one of the greatest collegiate players of all time, with many considering her a top contender for the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer title. So far, she has racked up 3,951 points across four seasons. In May 2024, Clark was drafted number 1 overall in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. However, her achievements have soon been overlooked as drama on the court has taken precedent.
During the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever match up on Monday June 10, 2024, Clark was awarded a foul call on an inbound pass in the second quarter of the game – something DiJonai Carrington didn’t seem so happy about. This came to be as Carrington appeared to bump Clark as she attempted to drive to the basket. With Carrington being in her fifth WNBA season, she has undeniably seen her fair share of flopping. However, this time, she wanted to let Clark know that she spotted it. Although the officials believed it warranted a foul, Carrington mocked Clark, flailing her arms around and mimicking a flop.
Following the game, Outkick reporter Dan Zaksheske took to his official X page stating that Carrington’s own fans turned against her as a large section of the home crowd began booing her for the rude mocking of Clark. He then added that shortly after, a “We Want Caitlin” chant broke out. Whether the foul was warranted is still up for debate, as Clark does have form for looking for fouls. After the game, Sports Illustrated wrote: “Getting to the foul line is a key part of Caitlin Clark’s offensive bag, which sometimes leads to the rookie superstar embellishing contact from defenders in order to secure a foul call from officials.”
Clark Misses Out On Olympic Call But Her Stardom Still Ascends Despite the Foul
Many were shocked to learn that Caitlin Clark was not picked for the USA Basketball women’s national team. Considering that Clark was the first overall pick for Indiana Fever in the 2024 draft, this has left many fans and pundits baffled. Jennifer Rizzotti, a member of the USA Basketball women’s national team committee, called the selection process “challenging and competitive”. She added: “We have selected a team that we are confident will represent our country to the highest standard in Paris.”
Many are calling out the decision to exclude Clark, with USA Today columnist Christine Brennan calling it a “huge missed opportunity”. Penchant for seeking fouls aside, Clark appears to have proven herself to almost everybody but the committee. However, her stardom is only ascending further. On June 11, 2024, CBS News reported that the name Caitlin is re-surging in popularity in 2024, placing Clark in the same popularity level as Hollywood superstar Zendaya (who has also spiked a baby name trend). So, it’ safe to say she is becoming a global star.
When asked about her feelings on the Olympics snub, Clark gave a humble response that felt genuinely inspired and introspective. She said: “I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way – me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be fun to watch them. Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there.” Want to read about the latest news of the WNBA and Caitlin Clark? Here’s how she triumphed over Angel Reese.
Follow Us
