WNBA Legend Issues Blunt Warning To Caitlin Clark About Going Pro

Diana Taurasi thinks people should dial back expectations when it comes to Caitlin Clark and other top college players going to the WNBA.

Clark and Iowa play South Carolina in the national title game Sunday, and the eyes of the college basketball world will be on the game. It'll be her final time playing college basketball, and once she's done, the Iowa phenom will be the first overall pick in the WNBA draft.

Will she dominate immediately like she has for years in college? The Phoenix Mercury star thinks people need to understand there's almost certainly going to be a transition period for her and other players.

Diana Taurasi warns of transition period of Caitlin Clark and other college stars in the WNBA.

"Look, SVP, reality is coming. There’s levels to this thing. That's just life. We all went through it. You see it on the NBA side, and you're going to see it on this side. You look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time. Not saying that it’s not going to translate because when you’re great at you do you’re just going to get better, but there is going to be a transition period when you have to give some grace as a rookie. It make take a little bit longer for some people," Taurasi told Scott Van Pelt when asked what the transition will look like for Clark and other top college players.

You can watch her full comments below, and hit me with your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Taurasi definitely isn't wrong when it comes to a transition period in the WNBA or NBA. Caitlin Clark and other elite college players are cooking against people who are almost always 21 and younger.

The talent gap between Clark and the players she faces is honestly comical. It won't be like that in the WNBA. The gap will be much smaller, and there will absolutely be times as a rookie when she's not the best player on the floor.

Most rookies struggle for at least brief periods in any sport. Whether it's the WNBA, the NFL, or the NHL, it's hard for rookies to avoid growing pains.

Will Caitlin Clark be a success in the WNBA? (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Having said that, the WNBA is all in on Clark and for good reason. She's the most famous college basketball player in America, and the WNBA is going to use her to try to elevate the league. She already puts up historic TV ratings. Can the same apply in the WNBA? We'll see, but there's no doubt the WNBA is betting big on her.