Caitlin Clark has been so good throughout the 2023-24 season and the NCAA Tournament that some even believe that she can play in the NBA.
Count CBS Sports broadcaster Chris Walker as one of those Clark believers, as he shared his belief that the Iowa Hawkeyes star can thrive in the men’s game with her incredible ability.
Iowa Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark in the NBA?
Walker made the declaration ahead of the Hawkeyes’ Sweet 16 showdown with the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer regardless of gender has been a dominant force throughout the first two rounds of the competition, putting up 59 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists.
With the way that Clark has been playing in the tournament, Walker was convinced that the Hawkeyes sharpshooter is more than capable of playing in the men’s game.
“If there was a Naismith for both she’d probably the men’s and women’s [finalist],” Walker said. “She was unbelievable this year. I mean the way eyeballs have been on women’s basketball … It’s been there but it’s gone to a stratospheric level with the way — I mean she’s got a State Farm commercial. She’s just unbelievable. She’s a joy to watch.
The CBS Sports analyst furthered, “People can say whatever they want. I say a woman can play in the NBA. People don’t believe it. But people like [Clark], trust me, make people think a little bit differently about that.”
To be fair to Walker, Clark’s dominance in the women’s game can really make anyone think that she can even go at it with the best in the game. She’s an elite shooter, and considering that the NBA is filled with marksmen, one could say that Clark could indeed find a spot in the top men’s pro league.
Clark proved that once again in their battle with the Buffaloes, as she finished with 29 points and 15 assists on top of six rebounds. Colorado simply had no answer for her.
Chris Walker’s Caitlin Clark Take Gets Rebuttal
However, not everyone thinks the same way as Chris Walker, with many noting that the physicality of the men’s game is just different compared to the women’s game. With that said, critics are having a hard time imagining how Caitlin Clark will thrive in such scenario.
“Caitlin Clark would get the ball stolen from her every play. She wouldn’t ever score a point in the NBA unless she cherry picked under the basket while her team played 4 on 5 defense. The fact is the women suck and are on the equivalent level of a high school boys team. Even at the WNBA level. Truth hurts,” a commenter wrote.
“I think she could score, the problem is a woman can’t defend a man. That’s the issue IMO. She could definitely score though IMO,” a fan added.
Another critic said, “That’s simply a ridiculous statement. Yea she could play but she’d get dominated.”
A fourth X user said, “She has the skills of a high level player but the physical size difference is so overwhelming. She would be destroyed from a physical standpoint. She could make some shots but she isn’t gonna create her own when the defenders are all bigger faster and lots stronger.”
Of course it’s unlikely we’ll ever see Clark play in the NBA. She’s headed to the WNBA next season, and the focus is really on her transition to the pro level of the women’s game. Maybe we’ll see a one-vs-one between Clark and another NBA player.
For now, though, fans can simply enjoy Clark and her greatness.
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