If there’s anyone who can relate to the ups and downs of Caitlin Clark’s rookie season, it’s WNBA legend Candace Parker.
Like Clark, Parker was the No. 1 overall pick back in 2008, and like Clark, television ratings boomed and national perception of the WNBA changed when Parker entered the league. This makes her the perfect person to shed some unique insight into some of the things Clark likely has to battle behind the scenes.
“It’s hard to have the bullseye on your back,” Parker said during a Q&A with Andscape. “Not just from the standpoint of everybody looking at you, but also as a teammate trying; it is a team sport, so you’re the one that always constantly has to remind people like, ‘Hey Aliyah [Boston], set that screen.’ It’s difficult and people have different feelings about it. So, it’s a hard weight, hard burden to carry, but she’s doing a great job.”