Caitlin Clark had a phenomenal rookie season. She led the WNBA in assists per game, made her first All-Star team, was the first rookie named to the All-WNBA First Team since Candace Parker, and scored the most points by a rookie in a single WNBA season.
Clark quickly established herself as one of the best point guards in the game and one of the more competitive players out there. Her competitive fire is what drew a lot of fans to her in the first place and is a big part of her success. It is also the reason for one of Clark’s shortcomings.
Last season, Clark was also one of the league leaders in technical fouls. She had six technical fouls and was just one away from a one-game suspension. The only players who collected more technical fouls were Diana Taurasi, Natasha Cloud, and Teira McCowan. Kahleah Copper and Arike Ogunbowale also had six.
Knowing that the technical fouls are a problem, Clark vowed to limit them in her sophomore season. Her new head coach Stephanie White also had some comments about Clark’s tendency to get technical fouls.
Stephanie White hopes to help Clark avoid unnecessary technical fouls
Stephanie White has had a successful career as a player and a coach in the WNBA. In 2023, she was named Coach of the Year and led the Connecticut Sun to two semifinal appearances. She knows what it takes to win. She also knows how something as small as technical fouls can make a difference.
Stephanie White recently appeared on the Good Follow podcast with Ros Gold-Onwude and Logan Hackett. She spoke about the Fever’s offseason, plans for the team’s big three, and Clark’s technical fouls.
“Momentum changing technicals, we can’t have. The unnecessary ones, we can’t have,” White said, making a clear statement as to what she expects Clark to change this season.
White further added, “The margin for error in this league to win a championship is so small, you know, and if one technical in a game changes the momentum and causes you to lose it, that’s big.”
The Fever obviously want to compete for a championship this season. Otherwise, they would not have brought in proven veterans like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sydney Colson, and Sophie Cunningham. Clark’s talent and competitiveness will be a big part of the Fever’s quest to win a championship. Her fiery energy just needs to be channeled in the right direction.
“Our greatest strength can sometimes be our greatest weakness,” White said about Clark. “That fiery competitiveness is like the reason that you’re so successful, but sometimes it can hurt, depending on the timing.”
White identified a clear weakness Clark showed during her rookie season, but fans should expect it to improve quickly. Clark will enter the 2025 season with more experience and knowing exactly what to expect. Coming into the WNBA as a rookie and immediately having teams throw their best, most physical defenders at you can be incredibly frustrating. This season, Clark will be better equipped to deal with that attention.
White also noted she would like Clark to work on her defense and diversify her finishing skills.