Dawn Staley, the celebrated coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, has never shied away from offering her perspective on the evolving landscape of the sport, particularly when it comes to rising stars like Caitlin Clark. Following the Indiana Fever's recent clash with the Las Vegas Aces on June 22, 2025, Staley's insightful comments have once again captured the attention of WNBA fans and analysts alike. While Clark's individual performance of 19 points and 11 assists was noteworthy, Staley's observations extend beyond the box score, delving into the broader impact Clark has on the game and the challenges that come with it.
The Indiana Fever lost to the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 89-81. Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 26 points, while A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 24 points. Despite the loss, Clark managed to secure a double-double, racking up 19 points and 11 assists, although she had a tough time shooting, making only 7 of 20 attempts from the field and just 1 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Staley's connection to Clark is well-documented. Her South Carolina team faced Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes twice in the NCAA Tournament, with each player claiming victory once. This history gives Staley a unique lens through which to view Clark's game and her influence on the sport. On Kylie Kelce's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, Staley openly discussed Clark and the challenges that come with her immense popularity. She acknowledged Clark's incredible impact on bringing more "eyeballs" to the game but pointed out the pressure to only speak positively about her, which Staley finds difficult as someone who critiques the game holistically.
"She's quite incredible, quite an anomaly when it comes to how many eyeballs she's bringing on the game," Staley stated. "And the newness of those eyeballs—they only want her to do well. Only want you to speak very highly of her. Only, you know, want you to agree with what they agree with. And that's kind of hard." She further explained that criticism is part of sports and athletics, emphasizing that it is essential to have a balanced view of every player.
Staley also praised Clark's passing ability, highlighting it as her most dangerous asset. "For me, the most dangerous thing of Caitlin Clark is her passing ability," Staley noted. "Her ability to make other people better, and her ability to have other people's production along with her production. That's how you win." This comment underscores a critical aspect of Clark's game that sometimes gets overshadowed by her scoring prowess. Her court vision and ability to create opportunities for her teammates are crucial for the Fever's success.
Interestingly, Aces coach Becky Hammon admitted that she had to change her initial defensive strategy against Clark early in the game. Clark quickly tallied four assists, which led Hammon to adjust her game plan, acknowledging Clark's playmaking ability in pick-and-roll situations.
While Clark's individual stats continue to draw attention, her efficiency has been a topic of discussion. In the game against the Aces, she struggled with her shot, and her eight turnovers were a concern. Clark herself acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in taking care of the ball and making better decisions in critical moments of the game. Despite the shooting struggles, Clark's impact on the game extends beyond scoring. Her passing, court awareness, and leadership qualities are invaluable to the Indiana Fever as they navigate the challenges of the WNBA season.
