The WNBA All-Star Game took place over the weekend, with Team WNBA defeating USA Basketball 117-109, and Dallas Stars All-Star Arike Ogunbowale winning the MVP award after scoring 34 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Ogunbowale had the opportunity to play with Caitlin Clark in the game, and she spoke about her impressions of the rookie, praising her for how she has taken women’s basketball by storm during her time at Iowa.
“Yeah, well I’ve been a fan of her since she’s been in college, and you know we’ve exchanged while she was in college because I just love hoopers,” Arike Ogunbowale, an ESPN reporter, said. “You guys definitely see my game, and I see a lot of similarities: she knows how to get a bucket, she can create for herself and her teammates.
And I really adore her game, and it’s exciting to play against her; you know she draws a crowd every time, so I’ll surely turn up. But playing with her allowed me to pick her brain a little bit and see how she thinks and moves as a teammate, and she’s a tremendous player. Indiana is lucky to have her, but that’s great for her; she’s told me she’s a lot like me in college and everything. But it’s nice for her to display that praise on TV, so she’s one of my favorite players in the league as well.”
“I've been a fan of her since she's been in college. … She's one of my favorite players in the league.”
All Star game MVP Arike Ogunbowale on Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/aGL1hd2Z4G
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) July 22, 2024
Clark scored four points in the All-Star Game, but she also gave out ten assists, an aspect of her game that has thrived in the WNBA, particularly recently. Having her as a facilitator must have been beneficial for Arike Ogunbowale.
Arike Ogunbowale and Caitlin Clark’s prediction for the WNBA season:
Ogunbowale’s Wings now have a 6-19 record, making it difficult for Dallas to advance to the playoffs following the Olympic break. Still, Ogunbowale will strive to end the season on a good note.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will look to continue their solid play heading into the break in order to secure a playoff position in her debut season. They are currently 11-15 and ranked seventh.
It’ll be interesting to see how these two seasons conclude following the break.
