WNBA Legend Diana Taurasi Defends Warning Caitlin Clark About the Pros

The WNBA legend Diana Taurasi is firing back at fans who took issue with her warning Caitlin Clark that “reality is coming” as she turned pro.

Taurasi Defends Warning To Clark

“The new fans are really sensitive these days, you can’t say anything,” Taurasi said while at training camp, according to AZ Central. “It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade, there’s a learning adjustment — and then when you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment.

“I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t factually correct,” she continued. “Like anything, greatness is going to translate. And she’s proven that in every level and I don’t see it being any different in the WNBA.”

Taurasi’s Warning

Fox News reported that Taurasi, 41, had issued her controversial warning to Clark, 22, before her team the Iowa Hawkeyes lost to South Carolina in the women’s national championship.

“Look SVP, reality is coming,” Taurasi said while appearing on ESPN. “There’s levels to this thing. And that’s just life. We all went through it. You see it on the NBA side and you’re going to see it on this side where you look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come with some grown women who’ve been playing professional basketball for a long time.”

“Not saying that it’s not going to translate, because when you’re great at what you do you’re just going to get better. But there is going to be a transition period where you’re going to have to give yourself some grace as a rookie,” she added. “It might take a little bit longer for some people.”

Though Taurasi didn’t mention Clark by name, it was clear to many that she was talking about her. Check out the full warning in the video below.

Related: Caitlin Clark Reveals What’s ‘Different’ About WNBA After First Practice With Indiana Fever

Fans Fire Back

Heavy reported that Taurasi was met with tons of backlash from Clark’s fans for issuing this warning.

“Quit trying to tear her down when you should be celebrating the women’s game,” one fan commented, with another adding, “Translation, I’m a jealous hater next question.”

Other fans called out Taurasi for her “disrespect and negative energy” for Clark.

“I’m pretty sure Caitlin Clark is doing this against 18 year olds AND will be against players in the WNBA Diana Taurasi,” another person commented. “Just enjoy greatness.”

Taurasi’s History

Daily Mail reported that Taurasi has had a storied WNBA career that saw her win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2004 and a historic five Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020) as well as three league titles. On top of that, she was the WNBA MVP in 2009 and has earned five scoring titles along with three FIBA World Cups. 

Taurasi has additionally been chosen for ten WNBA All-Star teams and fourteen All-WNBA teams (including ten first-team selections) in the past. She is the all-time leading scorer for the WNBA, and last year, she became the first player to surpass 9,000 points. Fans chose her as the greatest player of all time back in 2021, but given Clark’s talent and popularity, that title may be threatened in the years to come.

Related: WATCH: Phoenix Mercury Player Diana Taurasi Kicks Opponent In Groin During Game, Gets No Whistle For Obvious Foul

Find out more about Taurasi in the video below.

Clark’s team Indiana Fever will be taking on Taurasi’s team Phoenix Mercury on June 30. It will certainly be interesting to see who comes out on top in that showdown!