Inside The Nuggets

Hall of Fame Coach Makes Very Controversial Caitlin Clark Statement

Former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl made a post about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Joey Linn|
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a call Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a call Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. | Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is one of the most popular athletes in American sports. Revolutionizing the WNBA in her rookie season, the Indiana Fever star broke several records on and off the court. Between her unprecedented statistics and ability to drive viewership/attendance records, Clark met the hype she left Iowa with.

While Clark’s greatness on the court cannot be denied, some have attempted to prematurely place other players in the same conversation as her. This happened recently when former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl said one current college basketball star may already be better than the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

George Karl
Sep 10, 2022; Springfield, MA, USA; George Karl gives his speech during induction to the 2022 Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Karl, who is in the Basketball Hall of Fame, said USC guard JuJu Watkins may be better than Clark.

Via Karl: “As good as Caitlin Clark is, I’m thinking Juju Watkins may even be better. She looks to have the size, athleticism and talent to even compete in the NBA at some level!”

Karl received a lot of backlash for this statement, which prompted a follow-up post from the former Nuggets head coach.

Via Karl: “People need to chill about sports!! Caitlin is great, Juju is great and women’s hoops is growing. Juju could play at a highly competitive level - maybe G League and Euro League. Maybe NBA?? I’ve coached 2K NBA games but i could be wrong! It’s just my opinion!”

Watkins is incredible, but it is certainly controversial to already have her above Clark who dominated the WNBA in her rookie season.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.

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