SUMMARY
- Caitlin Clark has officially declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
- Clark is also eligible to compete in the NBA as there aren't written rules that prohibit women from entering the league.
Caitlin Clark has shown dominance that has rarely been seen before. It isn’t often that fans get to witness spectacular basketball being played at this intensity. Clark has broken multiple records in the NCAA and is bound to become one of the greatest ever to do it in the history of the women’s division. Her performances have left many fans wondering if she can overthrow her counterparts in the sport. Based on her outstanding work, there is potential.
The Iowa Hawkeyes superstar is currently pursuing her final year in college. She averaged 32.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game during the 2023-24 campaign. The Hawkeyes have had an exceptional stint with Clark. And even if they do not win an NCAA Championship, their time with Clark was enough to be deemed as one of the most successful runs ever. In terms of her future in basketball, the 23-year-old has declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
No written rule prohibits Caitlin Clark from playing in the NBA
Caitlin Clark has not only drawn comparisons to various legends from the WNBA but NBA players as well. Clark has exceptional scoring capacity and a shooter’s touch. Over the years, she has shot 46.6% from the field and 38.3% from deep with an 85.6% success rate from the foul line. She’s also the all-time leader in points, assists, and three-pointers for the Hawkeyes. Based on this, Clark has often been compared to Stephen Curry. This NBA legend currently leads the NBA in all-time three-pointers and also ranks No.1 in points for the Golden State Warriors.
Caitlin Clark’s January averages for @IowaWBB:
34.4 PTS
8.0 AST
6.5 REB
5.9 3PMIf every NBA/WNBA/D-I player in last 25 yrs took their best career month in each stat separately (min. 5 GP, incl. postseason) & put them together, only one could match that stat line: Stephen Curry pic.twitter.com/NxRK5QS83M
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) February 1, 2024
In terms of skill, Clark has everything it takes to be successful in the NBA. However, she wouldn’t be the first female to get drafted by the league. Denise Rife was the first female to get drafted by the NBA in 1969, by the Warriors. However, Walter Kennedy, the former commissioner of the league vetoed her claiming that women and high schoolers weren’t eligible for the NBA Draft. Luisa Harris was the second female to do so in 1977. However, she chose not to participate in the tryouts.
Reasons why Caitlin Clark may not succeed in the NBA
Caitlin Clark has everything it takes to be dominant in the NBA. Her perfect form and scoring capacity resemble how a lot of NBA stars play these days. However, there are a couple of reasons why Clark may not succeed or even play in the NBA. Firstly, no written rule prohibits women from competing in the men’s league. But the issues stem from a physical standpoint. Male athletes are generally more aggressive to which Clark’s thin frame may not be effective.
Caitlin Clark’s game is second to none.
See for yourself.pic.twitter.com/dMSwEfVYSx— Dinn Mann (@mooseoutfront) February 29, 2024
The average height of players in the NBA is 6’6” feet while the WNBA’s is 6’2” feet. Centers in the NBA cap off at 6’8” feet overall, while their male counterparts reach up to 7 feet. Size will be a major disadvantage for someone like Clark who stands at 6 feet. Generally, shorter NBA players do not find much success offensively since other players tend to tower over them.