Eight-Year WNBA Veteran Erica Wheeler Stepped Up To Help Caitlin Clark Silence Diana Taurasi’s Doubt

Diana Taurasi believes that “reality is coming” for Caitlin Clark during her rookie season in the WNBA. However, eight-year veteran Erica Wheeler is working closely with the No. 1 overall pick to ensure that she can continue to dominate like she did at Iowa.

It is something of an apprenticeship, if you will!

Wheeler, an undrafted free agent in 2013, knows the grind. The 32-year-old guard earned a try-out for the Atlanta Dream in 2015 and played on four different teams over the course of her almost decade-long career. This upcoming season is her fifth season with Indiana after spending four years with the organization from 2016 to 2019.

Clark has completely transformed the Fever, practically overnight. Things look completely different now compared to how they looked during Wheeler’s first stint with the team.

Despite all of the external change, the latter is going to help the former deal with change of her own.

Taurasi issued a stern warning to Clark about her transition from college to the pros and her old comments about wanting to “kill rookies” solidified her stance. Now, she backpedaled some while trying to settle the beef. However, she only made things worse by insulting a new generation of WNBA fans.

(To have an old head talking down on the youth is a sign that the league is thriving!)

Taurasi’s sharp opinion stems from the level of play.

It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade there’s a learning adjustment, when you go from high school to college there’s a learning adjustment.

— Diana Taurasi

Here is where Wheeler comes into the equation. As someone who has worked hard to make and stay in the league, she is taking Clark under her wing as a “big sister.”