Even Legends Like Caitlin Clark Have Weak Spots, Says Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley has faced Caitlin Clark on college basketball’s biggest stages. The South Carolina coach still hasn’t forgotten how dangerous Clark can be—and where she’s vulnerable.
Appearing on the Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce podcast on June 19, Staley opened up about preparing for Clark when she starred at Iowa. Despite beating Clark’s Hawkeyes in the 2024 national title game, Staley admitted that slowing her down was nearly impossible. Clark still dropped 30 points in that matchup, just one year after torching South Carolina for 41 in the 2023 Final Four.
But Staley did point out one area where Clark’s game can falter: turnovers.
Clark’s Risky Passing Game Called Out by Staley
“You want to highlight Caitlin Clark for what she does well,” said Staley. “But if you are her opponent, you want to zero in on the things that she doesn’t do well, right?”
“She’s a risk-taker when it comes to passing the ball. So she’ll turn the ball over some. And that’s a great thing if you’re her opposition.”
In their two NCAA tournament showdowns, Clark committed 12 turnovers total, averaging 6 per game. That stat stood out even as she averaged an eye-popping 35.5 points against Staley’s elite defense.
Respect and Strategy Go Hand in Hand
To be clear, Staley also praised Clark heavily during the interview, calling her nearly unstoppable. But her comments underscore what WNBA teams are now realizing: Clark’s creativity comes with risk.
Still, turnovers aside, Caitlin Clark’s impact on the game remains unmatched, both in box scores and in growing the fanbase of women’s basketball.
And when one of the game’s best coaches highlights your flaws, it’s usually because you’ve earned her full respect.
