Diana Taurasi thought Caitlin Clark was in for a rough ride in the WNBA – but she was ultimately made to eat those words.

Taurasi, 42, playfully goaded Clark’s considerable fanbase during the summer when she said the University of Iowa hotshot would struggle in her rookie year. Clark, 22, broke record after record, but the Phoenix Mercury star still thought the Iowa native would find the step-up difficult.

All eyes were on the two players when Indiana Fever faced off against Mercury at the end of June. After Clark shot 15 points, Taurasi admitted she was blown away by the 22-year-old. So much so that she took her previous opinions back and waxed lyrical about Clark.

After the match, Taurasi said: “It’s amazing what Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career. So far, just been nothing short of remarkable.

“The one thing that I really love about her, she loves the game. You can tell she’s put the work in. And even throughout her short WNBA career, it’s been a lot of pressure, a lot of things thrown at her, and she keeps showing up and keeps getting better every single game.”

Before their match, however, Taurasi’s remarks were less complimentary, likening Clark’s leap from college basketball to the professional leagues to a kid advancing from kindergarten to first grade.

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In a candid chat with SportsCenter, she cheekily said: “Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing. And that’s just life, we all went through it.

“You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds but you’re going to come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever and Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury smile during the game on June 30, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

Taurasi was impressed with Clark’s skills on the court ( 

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NBAE via Getty Images)

“Not saying it’s not gonna translate, because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better. But there is gonna be a transition period, where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.

“It’s kind of like when you go [from] kindergarten to first grade, there’s a learning adjustment. When you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment.”

Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury drives against guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the fourth quarter at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona

Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi enjoyed many battles in the last WNBA season ( 

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Getty Images)

When asked to justify her thoughts, she added: “I don’t think I said anything that’s factually incorrect. Like anything, greatness is going to translate. And she’s proven that at every level. I don’t see why that’s going to be any different in the WNBA.”

Clark is gearing up to test her mettle in a new arena – golf. She’s set to participate in the Pro-Am at The Annika driven by Gainbridge event, teeing off alongside World No.1 LPGA star Nelly Korda.