UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is doubling down on his comments about Caitlin Clark being targeted. But this time, he says that Caitlin Clark — and even Paige Bueckers — don’t have bodies that are built for the WNBA.
Geno Auriemma isn’t mincing words about his feelings about the Caitlin Clark-WNBA discourse. Earlier this week, he mentioned that he felt Clark was being targeted because of her immense talent and the visibility she is creating for the WNBA.

On Thursday, while visiting the Dan Patrick show, Auriemma was asked how he believes Clark is handling the WNBA’s physicality. That’s when he also expressed that Caitlin does not have the body frame built for the WNBA:

"The delusional fanbase that follows her disrespected the #WNBA players by saying she's going to go in that league and tear it a part… The kid was set up for failure right from the beginning."

-Geno Auriemma talks Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/HkBwKuVS4E

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 6, 2024

“I think she’s handling [it] great. I think she talks a lot of [expletive], and she gets a lot of [expletive] back. So, 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.”

“There’s a lot of learning curve like Diana said, and when she gets it, she has elite skills that are gonna really help her. But she needs to be on a better team, and she needs to be more experienced…”

When asked if Paige Bueckers had the build to play in the WNBA, Geno didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts rather bluntly:

“No. But her game is different…I think the subtleties of her game will translate. However, her rookie year, she will get it as bad as Caitlin’s getting it right now.”

For the full interview, including Auriemma’s rant about Caitlin Clark’s fanbase, see the YouTube video below.