Caitlin Clark has become, for many people at least, the darling of the WNBA over the past 12 months, but she may have a new rival.
NCAA star Hailey Van Lith was recently at the WNBA Draft and that was where she was selected by the Chicago Sky as the No.11 pick, meaning she will be on the same team as Angel Reese.
Before her name was called out by WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert, she got asked to start, bench and cut the following three players: Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark.
In what was a contentious call, she decided that Clark is the one who has to be cut from those three names, with Taurasi starting and Ionescu on the bench.
“Give flowers to the legend. We’re going to start Diana Taurasi,” Van Lith said. “I’m going to bench Sabrina and cut Caitlin.”
Not all bad blood
Whilst many have wondered whether she was deliberately inciting a rivalry, Van Lith has spoken very highly of Clark in the past.
After Iowa defeated LSU in the Elite Eight in 2024, Van Lith praised Clark for her 41-point performance.
“She’s very skilled, she’s a great player,” Van Lith told reporters. “She hit some tough shots, and there’s not a whole lot you can do about some of the threes she hit.”
In 2023, Van Lith gave Clark praise again for eliminating Louisville from the NCAA Tournament.
“I think we’re both great players. I love Caitlin and I respect her game so much,” Van Lith said. “I think she’s a great person who supports other players as well. She’s always showing love, and I love that about her.”
The two will be on the court together again soon, with the Indiana Fever taking on the Sky in their season opener on May 17.
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