WNBA legend Candace Parker isn’t holding back when it comes to Caitlin Clark’s next steps-and her message is crystal clear: being a star is one thing, becoming elite is another.
While Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark has been sidelined the past four games with a left quad strain, the buzz around her game has only intensified.
In just her second WNBA season, Clark is already averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and a staggering 9.3 assists per game. Her 2024 résumé reads like a veteran’s: All-Star, All-WNBA First Team, Rookie of the Year, and the league’s assist leader.
But with success comes scrutiny.
It’s not just about scoring from the logo
Appearing on the Spolitics with Jemele Hill podcast, three-time WNBA champion and icon Candace Parker shared her honest take on Clark’s game-and what the young phenom needs to do to level up.
“Yes, she can shoot from the logo,” Parker said. “But she also makes her team better. The next step is about what she does without the ball in her hands-and taking care of the ball.”
The turnovers, Parker noted, are part of the learning curve. Clark currently leads the WNBA with 5.0 turnovers per game, including a career-high 10 in a single matchup against the New York Liberty.
“That’s like learning,” Parker added. “All of us turned the ball over when we were young, especially when you’re the focus of every defense. You take risks, you gamble-and that’s part of it. But growth means knowing when not to.”
The difference between being great and being legendary
Clark’s high-risk, high-reward style is part of what made her a generational college player and a fast-rising pro. But as Parker emphasized, refining her off-ball movement and decision-making could be what elevates her from great to legendary
With her return expected soon, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see what version of the Fever star steps back onto the court-because the legend she just got advice from? She’s set the bar sky-high.
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