INDIANAPOLIS — The transition from college phenom to professional superstar is rarely seamless. It is a path littered with hurdles, physical adjustments, and, inevitably, the skepticism of those who came before. When Caitlin Clark left Iowa as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer to join the Indiana Fever, the welcoming committee from the WNBA’s old guard was, to put it mildly, frosty.

The most famous of these warnings came from Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi, who ominously predicted that “reality is coming” for the rookie. It was a sentiment shared by many: The WNBA is a league of grown women, and a college shooter wouldn’t simply walk in and dominate.

Fast forward through a season where Clark shattered 62 records, became the first rookie in history to make the All-WNBA First Team, and led the league in assists, and that “reality” looks very different than predicted. The reality, it turns out, was Caitlin Clark herself.

Now, the silence has broken. In a stunning turn of events, the very legends who once preached patience or skepticism are stepping forward to acknowledge the greatness of the Indiana Fever star. From emotional reunions to complete reversals of opinion, 11 former MVPs have gone on the record to validate Clark’s impact. However, amidst the chorus of praise, one reigning superstar remains conspicuously resistant.

The “Reality Check” That Wasn’t

The narrative arc of Diana Taurasi regarding Caitlin Clark is perhaps the most defining story of the season. Taurasi, the 2009 MVP and arguably the greatest scorer in league history, initially cast doubt on whether Clark’s game would translate immediately.

“Look, reality is coming,” Taurasi had famously told Scott Van Pelt. “You look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come with some grown women.”

Those comments aged like milk in the sun. After facing Clark four times this season—and losing all four matchups—Taurasi’s tone shifted dramatically. following their final encounter, a humbled Taurasi offered nothing but respect.

“What Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career so far has been nothing short of remarkable,” Taurasi admitted in a post-game press conference. “She keeps showing up and keeps getting better every single game. Her future is super bright.”

It was a public admission that the rookie had not only met the standard but exceeded it. The torch hadn’t just been passed; it had been snatched.

The Choir of Legends

Taurasi is far from alone in her pivot. Lisa Leslie, the three-time MVP who once suggested Clark and Angel Reese should share Rookie of the Year honors, has since firmly planted her flag in Camp Clark. As the season wore on and Clark’s production exploded—including becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double—Leslie’s “co-Rookie of the Year” stance evaporated.

Other legends recognized the unique gravity Clark exerts on the court. Candace Parker, a two-time MVP and one of the sharpest analysts in the game, broke down exactly why Clark is a “showman” in the vein of Stephen Curry.

“You have to guard her when she steps into the gym,” Parker explained. “I don’t think we’ve seen anything like that in women’s basketball… The way the game is played has allowed her to showcase that skill.”

For Parker, it wasn’t just about the points; it was about the gravity. It was about opposing defenses terrified of a player crossing half-court.

Breanna Stewart, the reigning titan of the league, was one of the first to give Clark her flowers. A month into the season, Stewart noted that Clark was “holding her own” and “elevating everyone around her.” Stewart, who knows the pressure of being a No. 1 pick, recognized the “ultra-competitive” fire in Clark that separates good players from great ones.

Emotional Connections and Defense

Beyond the stats, the emotional resonance of Clark’s season was highlighted by her interactions with her idol, Maya Moore. The 2014 MVP, who was the inspiration for a young Clark, surprised the rookie before her final regular-season game at Iowa. The resulting embrace was a viral moment of pure sports magic.

“I still feel like I was this tall and freaking out,” Clark said of the meeting. Moore, for her part, validated Clark not just as a player but as a person carrying the legacy of the game forward.

Meanwhile, other MVPs stepped up to defend Clark from the toxicity of online discourse. Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP, famously called out the “new fans” who projected their own narratives onto Clark.

“They wanted Caitlin Clark to be a certain type of way… and then they realized, oh no, she’s actually not racist,” Jones said, dismantling the culture war that had sprung up around the rookie. Jones clarified that the league celebrates Clark, even if the external noise tries to divide them.

Cynthia Cooper, the league’s first dynasty builder, went even further. While some debated Clark’s exclusion from the Olympic team, Cooper was unequivocal: “I would have put Caitlin Clark on Team USA, absolutely. Any USA Basketball experience for someone as young as Caitlin Clark is going to benefit America for years.”

The One Holdout

Yet, for all the praise from Stewart, Parker, Leslie, Cooper, Catchings, Charles, and Ogwumike, there is one name that strikes a discordant note: A’ja Wilson.

The reigning unanimous MVP and arguably the best player in the world right now has been noticeably cooler in her assessment of the rookie. When asked to rank Clark amongst all-time college players, Wilson pivoted to a critique of Clark’s lack of a collegiate championship.

“You got to win one,” Wilson said. “I feel like college is one of those spaces where you got to win one for them to even have your name in the conversation.”

While factually true that Clark left Iowa without a title, the comment felt to many like a refusal to acknowledge the transcendent nature of Clark’s individual brilliance. In a video filled with 11 legends bowing to the new reality, Wilson’s resistance stands out as the final barrier Clark has yet to break down.

The Verdict

The 2024 WNBA season will be remembered as the year the “Caitlin Clark Effect” became undeniable. It wasn’t just the sold-out arenas or the TV ratings; it was the capitulation of the league’s history to its future.

When Tina Charles, the second all-time leading scorer, calls it a “privilege” to play against a rookie, the debate is over. When Diana Taurasi hugs the player she warned about reality, the torch has been passed.

Caitlin Clark didn’t just survive the WNBA. She forced the WNBA to adjust to her. And as the legends have testified, she is only getting started.