Caitlin Clark Says Playing Against Childhood Idol Diana Taurasi Is 'Like A Dream Come True'

Caitlin Clark grew up wanting to play like Diana Taurasi. She never imagined she'd have the opportunity to play against her.

Taurasi made her WNBA debut for the Phoenix Mercury in 2004 — when Clark was just 2 years old. She is the most prolific scorer in league history and, arguably, the best player the WNBA has ever seen. 

"It's incredible, I don't think many people realize how hard that is to do," Clark said of Taurasi's longevity, according to The Indianapolis Star. "Obviously, she's done everything that she's needed to do to continue playing at a high level. Taking care of her body, continuing to perform at the highest level. 

"I think about it in my rookie year, it's incredible to think she's been in this league for 20 years, it's just super cool, a feat that not a lot of people will ever accomplish in their career."

Diana Taurasi and Caitlin Clark will play each other for the first time on Sunday.

(Getty Images)

To say Taurasi has accomplished a lot is an understatement. She's a former MVP, a 10-time All-Star, a three-time WNBA champion, a five-time Olympic Gold Medalist and the only player to score more than 10,000 points in her WNBA career. On Friday, she recorded her 80th game with at least five 3-pointers. (That's a league record, by far. The next closes player, Katie Smith, has only 30.)

Taurasi is a shooter — just like a certain Indiana Fever rookie we know. Also just like Clark, Taurasi was a No. 1 overall draft pick.

Diana Taurasi has more than 10,000 career points.

(Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports)

"That's somebody I grew up idolizing and looking up to and wanting to be like one day," Clark said. "Obviously, she's one of the greatest players our game has ever seen, greatest scorer our game has ever seen, so for me, I'm excited. It's fun. It's almost like a dream come true. You get to live out your dream while playing against the best, or one of the best there ever has been."

Taurasi, of course, made headlines in the spring when she publicly warned Clark that the WNBA is a different animal than college hoops. Think what you want about that, but the 42-year-old's success on the court is undeniable. Clark knows that, too.

RELATED: Diana Taurasi Says Her Criticism Of Caitlin Clark Was 'Taken Out Of Context'

Besides, Taurasi is also looking forward to facing off against the rookie phenom for the first time — although she had far less to say about the upcoming matchup. It seems like the veteran is planning to let her game do the talking.

"Yeah, it'll be fun," Taurasi said.

Fun, indeed. The Fever and Mercury tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.