Caitlin Clark Discusses Sad Reality Of Her Chaotic First Month In The WNBA Amid Vitriolic Discourse

Caitlin Clark is at the center of a vitriolic discourse that has clouded the WNBA over the last few weeks and it is entirely out of her control. Coupled with her superstar status, the whole thing has created a sad reality for the most-highly scrutinized rookie in league history.

She and teammate Aliyah Boston have placed extra emphasis on their mental health as a result.

Clark, who turned 22 years old in January, has not had any time to relax over the last two months. Really, it dates back to October 15 when Iowa began its season with a historic exhibition game at Kinnick Stadium.

The Hawkeyes won 34 games en route to the national championship and concluded their season on April 7. Clark was drafted into the WNBA on April 15. Training camp began shortly thereafter. Her rookie year began with the preseason on May 3. The regular season got underway on May 14.

All of this goes to say that Clark has been busy. And on top of that, she is the biggest star in women’s basketball right now (if not ever), which requires additional obligations to the media and the fans.

Reporters constantly flood Clark before and after every game. She is at the podium for every press conference. Fans expect her to be “on” all the time, which she has said takes a major toll on her psyche.

Clark is tired and it shows.

If that wasn’t chaos enough, an unfortunate, unnecessary and unruly dialogue has unfolded around her in recent weeks. WNBA veterans, rookies, diehard fans, new fans and members of the media are all coming at Clark’s superstar status from different angles. Race and gender have been involved. There has been a lot of finger pointing from everybody toward everybody else.

It has been extremely loud this week after on-air comments made by Charles Barkley.

Caitlin Clark is stuck in the middle and just wants to hoop.

Much of the conversation stems from a perceived disparity in treatment toward Clark in contrast to the rest of the WNBA. The Indiana Fever’s 0-5 start also contributed to the ongoing debate about rookies.

There has been a lot of screaming and yelling on social media. Clark doesn’t hear any of it. She is off of the grid as much as possible, if not entirely.

Basketball is her job. Her job is the lone focus.