Lisa Bluder thinks Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark “could really have fun” together on the same WNBA squad.
When women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark announced in February that she would not be returning for a fifth season with the Hawkeyes and would instead be entering the WNBA Draft, Iowa supporters were devastated. Lisa Bluder, the head coach of the Hawkeyes, also had to accept this choice.
Is she able to change her mind now? Is that even feasible? Bluder queried. “I’m not sure. That would be really nice to have.
Clark played her final game wearing an Iowa uniform on Sunday, creating a lasting legacy as she looks to go to the next level. Bluder was then questioned about how she thought Clark’s distinct play style and other aspects of her game would work in the WNBA.
To be very honest, Bluder wasn’t sure if it was an appropriate question for her or for a WNBA coach to ask about how much. Of course, she will be surrounded by wonderful people. Additionally, having amazing people around her greatly increases her chances of success. Thus, I believe that will be advantageous.
With her long off-the-dribble three-pointers and stunning finishes around the rim, Clark wowed crowds throughout her tenure with the Hawkeyes and went on to become college basketball’s all-time top scorer across the men’s and women’s teams. She led the country in assists per game the previous season and became the first collegiate basketball player to record 1,000 career assists in addition to 3,000 career points, demonstrating her exceptional passing abilities.
In the WNBA Draft, Clark is predicted to go as the first overall pick. The Indiana Fever will own this pick for the second year in a row, and they may select her alongside the top pick from the previous season. Aliyah Boston was a former center for South Carolina.
“I believe they may have a great time together if she plays with someone like Aliyah Boston when she is with the Fever. Bluder remarked, “I think they’ll be a great one-two punch.”
Boston won WNBA Rookie of the Year last season and made the All-Star Team after averaging 14.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Clark has won multiple national player of the year titles at the collegiate level.
Given that Clark had exceptional playmaking abilities with her bigs throughout her college career, the two would probably make a fantastic team. Bluder does, however, have some reservations about the WNBA for Clark and other rookies in general.
She will be really exhausted following this season. That is the main thing that worries me. Rookies enter the WNBA during their most worn-out phase, which is an extremely difficult period. That’s a little bit unjust for them, according to Bluder.
“All I know is that Caitlin has accepted every challenge we have given her. Even while I am aware that she will need to pay her dues as a rookie, I anticipate the same thing from her at the next level.
After Sunday’s national victory, Clark and her rookie teammates will undoubtedly need to adjust quickly because the WNBA Draft is on Monday, April 15, and the WNBA preseason begins on May 3.
