Caitlin Clark had nothing but praise for Dan Hurley

Hurley rejected a huge offer from the Lakers to chase another title at...In their return to Connecticut, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever struggled, falling to the Connecticut Sun with a score of 89-72. This defeat marks the third loss for Indiana against the Sun this season, having previously lost by 21 points in their season opener and 88-84 in Indiana.

Clark, who had a standout performance with 30 points against the Washington Mystics last Friday, couldn’t replicate her success in this game. The Sun’s defense held her to just 10 points. Her playtime was limited to 22 minutes, as she exited the game midway through the third quarter after committing her fourth foul and did not return to the court.

Post-game, Clark expressed her disappointment but managed a smile when asked about UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley’s decision to remain with the Huskies rather than accept a head coaching offer from the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I saw that,” Clark said, smiling. “I mean, shoot, two really good options. I really admire [Hurley]. I love his intensity. The way he coaches the game and holds his players accountable is amazing. He really gets the most out of them.”

Clark appreciates Hurley’s decision to stay in college

Clark’s appreciation for Hurley‘s coaching style is notable, especially given that players don’t always immediately appreciate such rigorous accountability. However, Clark acknowledges the long-term benefits.

“I’ve really loved watching them over the course of the last couple of years, and I think it’s cool he’s staying in college basketball,” she continued. “I think he really loves it and enjoys being around those young men. I’ve been a big fan of his and his program; they’ve been fun to watch.”

Hurley‘s decision to stay with UConn and aim for a third consecutive National Championship rather than transitioning to the NBA is significant news for college basketball, a realm in which Caitlin Clark is quite familiar.