Caitlin Clark- That’s probably one of the heaviest names in the WNBA right now. Whether she wins or loses, she is always a part of the discussion. Clark had previously mentioned that growing up she was inspired by Maya Moore. Moore was drafted into the WNBA in 2011 and plied her trade for the Minnesota Lynx for the next 7 years. Clark who grew up in Des Moines, Iowa had the Lynx as the closest team for which she used to make 7 hours round-trip when Moore played.

Recently, Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder compared her to Moore and stated that the two have a similar impact on young kids. “For her, Maya Moore was a huge role model growing up. So now she’s the Maya Moore of this generation. And she understands that,” Bluder stated. To dwell deep into the nitty gritty of this comparison, let’s take a look at the rookie numbers of both athletes and if the two have similar stats.

Maya Moore rocks her numbers much like Caitlin Clark

Moore was drafted into the WNBA as the first overall pick much like her fan Clark. But unlike Clark, the team already had a host of stars including but not limited to Lindsey Whalen, and Rebekkah Brunson. Therefore, Moore was in good company even during her maiden WNBA year. Her hard work and persistence in making a place for herself showed when she scored 13.2 points per game with 4.6 rebounds per match and 2.6 assists per contest.

With her exceptional play, Moore propelled the Lynx to have the best record in program history and the WNBA. She also helped her team ultimately clinch the WNBA Championship title and also bagged the Rookie of the Year award. All this helped Moore make a name for herself and from that season onwards she was a mainstay for the Lynx.

Her most brilliant performance came during the finale of the Western Conference when she scored 21 points. And thus, Moore shone brightly at the much-needed time and thus earned the reputation of being a big game player. Meanwhile, Clark’s story is no different.

Caitlin Clark’s similarities and dissimilarities with Moore

Just like Moore, Clark is also having a little difficulty adjusting to the WNBA level at the moment. She averages 16.3 points per game with 5.4 rebounds per match and 6.6 assists per outing. Though Clark has better numbers than Moore, it is to be noted that Moore was in a team that had a lot of stars whereas Clark along with her teammate Aliyah Boston has taken on a principal role for the Indiana Fever.

Much like Moore, Clark was also the number one pick in the WNBA and if she continues her on-song performances who knows much like Moore, she will also win the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. However, there is one jarring difference between the two. While the Lynx won the Championship in Moore’s rookie year, Clark is nowhere close to that. This is one aspect that the fever needs to work on.

Nonetheless, the impact they have on the league and fans as mentioned by Bluder is quite similar. Clark has sold tickets and performed in packed arenas. Clark now only needs to impress her fans by continuing her exceptional performances and taking a shot at the WNBA title in the coming seasons. This will also ensure that Clark’s popularity among fans increases and takes center stage for years to come.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.