A storm is gathering at the heart of women’s basketball — and it could soon spark a historic rewrite of WNBA rules.

In an unusually candid and emotional statement, Lisa Bluder — the iconic former Iowa Hawkeyes coach and mentor to WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark — has publicly called out what she sees as escalating and dangerous targeting of her former player.

Her demand? A sweeping reform. A protective overhaul. A clear message that enough is enough.

The breaking point: Clark under constant attack

Since stepping onto the WNBA stage, Caitlin Clark has dazzled crowds with her trademark logo-range threes and jaw-dropping court vision. But her rapid rise has come at a painful cost: repeated hard fouls, body checks, elbows, and blatant cheap shots.

Game after game, Clark has absorbed hits that would draw suspensions in other leagues. The latest flashpoint? A nasty shove from Connecticut Sun’s Marina Mabrey that sent Clark crashing to the floor — with no ejection, no real penalty, and no protection.

For Bluder, that was the moment she decided to speak out.

Bluder’s plea: “This isn’t basketball anymore”

In interviews with ESPN Radio and a statement that quickly went viral, Bluder laid her feelings bare:

“I watched Caitlin push herself to greatness, inspiring so many along the way. What I’m seeing now isn’t just tough defense — it’s calculated retaliation. It’s jealousy. And it’s endangering her career and this league’s credibility.”

She didn’t stop there:

“If the WNBA wants to grow globally and keep its stars healthy, then player safety has to come first. It’s time to rethink the rules. It’s time to protect the athletes.”

What she wants changed

Bluder’s message isn’t just outrage — it’s a blueprint for reform:

✅ Automatic Flagrant Reviews: Any time a player hits the court from contact, refs must check for flagrant or unsportsmanlike conduct via video replay.

✅ Escalating Suspensions: Players who repeatedly target or commit reckless fouls face longer suspensions each time.

✅ Star Protection Rule: Similar to how the NBA and NFL protect quarterbacks and sharpshooters, Bluder wants explicit safeguards for the league’s biggest draws — so they can stay healthy and on the floor.

“Caitlin isn’t just another rookie. She’s a generational superstar. In football we protect QBs. In basketball we protect shooters. So why are we allowing her to be a punching bag every night?”

A divided reaction

Unsurprisingly, Bluder’s bold call has split the basketball world.

Many fans and former players rallied behind her, calling her proposal “common sense” and “long overdue.” Legends like Sheryl Swoopes and Lindsay Whalen publicly backed her, insisting the league must do more to shield its stars from needless risk.

Others, however, mocked the idea — calling it “soft” and saying it coddles players. One unnamed WNBA coach stoked the flames, saying: “If she can’t handle contact, maybe she’s not built for this level.” The comment leaked and only intensified the uproar.

Clark stays silent, lets her game speak

Caitlin Clark herself has yet to directly address her former coach’s push for new rules. But on the court, her answer was loud and clear:

Days after the Mabrey incident, she racked up 28 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds — powering the Fever to an emotional win and sending a clear message: Knock me down all you want — I’m not going anywhere.

Is the league listening?

So far, the WNBA has offered no official statement on Bluder’s demands. But insiders say discussions are underway behind closed doors. With every Clark game drawing record viewership and national headlines, the pressure on league executives is rising fast.

One front office source, speaking anonymously, put it bluntly:

“No one’s driven this kind of attention so fast. If she goes down from avoidable hits, it could stall everything we’re building.”

A possible turning point

What started as one coach defending her player has become something bigger: a high-stakes debate about player safety, physicality, and how women’s sports evolve under the spotlight.

Lisa Bluder’s rallying cry is echoing far beyond Iowa. Now everyone is watching to see if the league listens — or risks losing a once-in-a-generation star to the very violence that’s supposed to have no place in the game.