Much of the noise that has surrounded Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been about narratives off the court. Many around the WNBA have been angry with the way that Clark has been praised since entering the league, despite her being just 14 seasons into what will most likely be a lengthy pro career.

It has caused all sorts of divides between players and media members, creating a very strange atmosphere.

On the court, Clark has done what she can to silence any critics and has played well for the most part. She has dealt with a bit of a learning curve, which is to be expected from any rookie player. UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma appeared on The Dan Patrick Show and discussed Clark.

Auriemma criticized Clark for not being quite ready physically to perform at the highest level in the league. Auriemma also praised Clark for how she has handled the pressure she has seen.

“I think she’s handling it great,” Auriemma said. “I think she talks a lot of s—, and she gets a lot of s— back. She deserves everything she gets because she gives it as good as she gets it. She’s just not built for the physicality of this league, and she’s not quick enough to get away from the physicality.”

Auriemma knows a thing or two about basketball so his opinion does hold some weight here. He has won 11 championships at UConn and has seen Clark play up close, when her Hawkeyes ousted his Huskies in the Final Four this past spring. The longtime coach continued his praise of Clark, noting that she needs more experience in her career.

“When she gets it, she has elite skills that are going to help her,” Auriemma added. “She needs to be on a better team, and she needs experience.”

Clark’s journey into the WNBA has just started so she needs time to learn the game at the professional level. It’s a different style than in college and has much more physicality within. Clark has done what she can so far and has met all the noise head-on.

She has just wanted to play basketball but instead has been pulled into these outside narratives. On the season, she is averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. She ranks among a class of talented rookie players that has helped the WNBA and women’s basketball as a whole grow more popular. While she isn’t the only player to make that happen, she is the face of the growth, whether she likes it or not.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.