WNBA stars 'jealous' of Caitlin Clark as private conversations come to light

Ever since the Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark as their first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, they've had a target on their backs. Clark, with her Steph Curry-like range, is a phenomenon unlike any other in the WNBA. This has led to the Fever garnering significant media attention.

Lexie Hull, a guard for the Fever and close friend of Clark, recently discussed this dynamic in an interview with Glamour Magazine, highlighting perceived envy from others. When Clark suffered a season-ending injury, Hull stepped up during the playoffs. Despite coming within one game of reaching the finals after a hard-fought series against the Las Vegas Aces, the team didn't receive the same level of media coverage as they did in 2024.

"I think there is a level of jealousy when it comes to the Fever, just because of the media attention and the fans that have shown up for us ever since Caitlin got here," said Hull.

"We've heard people and players and teams talking in their locker room about: 'We can't let the Fever win.'

"If you have extra motivation to beat us because of something out of our control, that's fine, if that's what it takes for you guys to come and try extra hard.

"I think a little bit of that is needed across the league... Everyone should feel like they're getting everyone else's best, and I do feel like we get everyone else's best."

Hull isn't the only Fever player to encounter this phenomenon. Sophie Cunningham observed something similar following the team's defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks in June.

"We are circled on everybody's schedule," she remarked. "No one likes us. Everyone in our locker room, that's the only type of people that we have that we can lean on."

Clark established a then record for the most three-pointers scored in a WNBA season with 122 during her debut campaign. This record was later surpassed by Sabrina Ionescu.

She missed out on claiming the league's Rookie of the Year award unanimously by just one vote and assisted the Fever in ending an eight-year playoff drought.

This year's first-overall selection, Paige Bueckers, highlighted that the amplified media spotlight brings with it elevated expectations.

"I would just say [Clark] handles it with grace, and the pressure that she's put on every single night to perform at the level that she does is inhumane, really," said the Dallas Wings star.

"To expect people to be perfect and not to have off games or off nights. If she doesn't go eight-for-10 from three, people are questioning things. It's unfair to have to deal with that.

"She's a great person at dealing with it, and just tuning out the noise and just continuing to be there for herself and for her team."