After just one season, Caitlin Clark has stamped her authority on the WNBA, breaking multiple senior and rookie records. She is set to be the face of the league for the next decade but has shown humility and respect to the great women who came before her.
Clark recently sat down with Nike for an interview, and when asked who her favorite matchup among Nike Hoopers was, she named eleven-time All-Star Diana Taurasi.
Caitlin Clark Picks Diana Taurasi As Her Favorite Matchup
Taurasi, 42, is an all-time WNBA great who played for the Phoenix Mercury. The 2009 WNBA MVP announced her retirement on Feb. 25, following an incredible 21-year campaign with Phoenix. A champion at all levels, Taurasi is one of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all time and should have no issues finding her way into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
She faced off against Clark and Indiana Fever in three games during the 2024 season, but the rookie came out on top every time, especially in the third game, with a 29-point and 10-assist performance. She even termed Fever’s first victory against the Mercury as “one of our biggest wins of the season.”
Clark debated with herself before picking Taurasi as her favorite matchup, joking that she might get herself in trouble by answering the question.
“You’re gonna get me in trouble (laughs).”
Clark then named Taurasi, suggesting that the three-time WNBA champion’s competitive spirit stood out after two decades in the league.
“Honestly, I’ll say like DT because she is such an icon in our sport and has been in the game for so long. You know, getting to share the court with her was pretty fun and you just see her competitive spirit, even though you’re not on her team like you can just feel it as a competitor.”
I WILL GLADLY EAT MY WORDS. NIKE CAITLIN INTERVIEW IS UP pic.twitter.com/CzNzTRcpLM
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) February 23, 2025
Clark and Taurasi share a close bond and were often pictured cracking jokes during the Fever vs. Mercury games last year. However, the fans were hopeful of an intense rivalry between these stars when Taurasi appeared reluctant to embrace Clark’s elite level in the NCAA.
“Reality is coming,” Taurasi told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt when asked what the WNBA had in store for Clark. “You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”
Scott Van Pelt was there when Diana Taurasi said "Reality is coming"
5 months later, after the reg season, he's out here saying that she was wrong and Caitlin Clark is "THE REALITY"🔥🔥🔥🔥
Oh how the tables have turned. Full circle moment😂😂😂#WNBA #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/2TVq0ni02c
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) September 20, 2024
But as evidenced by Clark’s latest interview, there’s nothing but respect between them as both of them look to take the league to new heights. The Fever guard is truly the definition of a class act and has remained incredibly humble throughout her career. With her level of play on the court and her humility off it, it’s very hard not to root for her to continue to see this success.
