Getty Image / Chris Coduto
Mizzou legend Sophie Cunningham has been in the WNBA since she was drafted 13th overall back in 2019 and over time she has developed a reputation for being one of the most physical players in the league.
Sophie Cunningham recently sat for an interview with SLAM Magazine and was asked about whether Caitlin Clark is receiving a disproportionate amount of dirty fouls. Sophie’s physicality and years in the league put her in a unique position to discuss the perception that Caitlin Clark is being unfairly targeted by WNBA veterans due to the incredibly bright spotlight shone on her everywhere she goes.
Speaking with SLAM, Sophie said “I think that there are a lot of new eyes, but with that, there’s a lot of people who are uneducated about our League.” She’s not wrong about that. The WNBA is seeing unprecedented attendance and viewership thanks to Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and other emerging stars.
But she singled out Caitlin Clark specifically, saying “You see a lot of people in the public eye on the men’s side kind of having Caitlin Clark’s back, too, which is kind of surprising just because they know how physical our game has always been. But when I tell you that the narrative that we’re all against Caitlin or the vets against the rookies that needs to be squashed because it’s not like that. I promise you, it’s not like that.
Cunningham continued, saying “I’ve had my jaw broken, I’ve broken a finger, I’ve broken my nose. Everyone has stories of how physical this League really is and I think that is the main jump that people don’t understand.”
As for Caitlin Clark’s future, Sophie Cunningham made it clear that she believes the talent and skill is there and Caitlin is on her way to being amongst the league’s best. She said “It’s like, her skill level will come, everything else will come; the rookies in general. But it’s the physicality that people really have to get used to. And so for me, I don’t think anyone’s being targeted.”
Cunningham went on to add that Caitlin Clark just needs some time to adjust, saying “If anything, I think we need to give her a little bit of grace sometimes because she has a lot on her plate and a lot of eyes on her. But with that, I think this is gonna be really good for her. She’s gonna be great. I think the rookie class is gonna be phenomenal for our League once they get that physicality thing kind of worked out. It takes a little bit of time [but] they’re gonna be just fine.”
She’s a veteran. She knows what she is talking about more than people like myself outside of the league. But I think what’s being lost in context here is that Caitlin Clark isn’t necessarily getting the rookie treatment, she’s getting the star treatment, and the league is allowing her to be unfairly fouled at times.
There’s no denying that either, everyone has seen the footage. But as the rest of the league becomes more comfortable with more fans in attendance, flying in private jets, etc. the treatment of Caitlin Clark should simmer down.
To read the full interview on SLAM Magazine, follow the link up at the top of this article!