“No one is purposely going to hurt Caitlin Clark”: Former WNBA player slams critic suggesting Diana Taurasi and vets will injure No. 1 pick

Former player Val Whiting took to X to slam a critic in response to them suggesting that WNBA veterans will resort to foul play against Caitlin Clark, this year's No. 1 pick in the draft. The X user insinuated that WNBA players such as Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart would purposely injure Clark out of bitterness.

"Don’t let these vets on other teams purposely injure her out of bitterness. Keep a close eye on Stewie and the closest eye on Taurasi," the X user tweeted.

Whiting called out the negativity being spread by the user and clarified that no WNBA player would purposely hurt Caitlin Clark.

"Why are people putting this negative energy out there? No one is going to purposely hurt Caitlin Clark in the W. Did it happen in college? No. This comment is giving 'I never competed before.'"

Clark has garnered interest in the league even before she was drafted. The 6-foot point guard from Iowa was picked by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft.

Clark set the record for most points scored, male or female, in college basketball history. Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer and as a two-time national player of the year is widely considered one of the greatest collegiate players of all time.

Clark will make her debut in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun. However, there are two preseason games scheduled for May 3 and 10.

Val Whiting reacts to outrage regarding Caitlin Clark's rookie contract

Compared to her male counterparts in the NBA who earn millions as a rookie, Caitlin Clark's rookie contract with the WNBA was revealed to be drastically low, which fueled an outrage by sports fans demanding equal pay.

Amid the outrage regarding Clark's rookie contract, former WNBA player Val Whiting took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the same.

"So now Twitter (X) is blowing up about low salaries in the WNBA, but when WNBA players talk about it they tell them to shut up and dribble," Whiting said. "Yes, these are the salaries, and I'm glad they're been spoken about again."

Clark is expected to sign a contract with the Indiana Fever worth $338,056 over four years, earning $76,535 in her rookie season this summer.