For comparability’s sake, Wembanyama averaged 19 factors, 9 rebounds, two blocks and shot 42 % from the sector within the first 13 video games of his profession. Clark has put up strong averages of 16 factors, practically 5 rebounds and 6 assists per recreation on 37 % taking pictures from the sector and 33 % from downtown.
Wembanyama noticed his fair proportion of struggles on the court docket in his first 13 video games, however he scored in double figures in all however one recreation, whereas Clark has failed to succeed in double figures 3 times and in three different video games didn’t get above 11 factors.
Transitioning to the skilled recreation shouldn’t be simple. The gamers are larger, stronger and easily higher than every other stage. For probably the most half, each gamers have made the transition effectively, the same old rookie hiccups an anticipated a part of the leap to the very best stage.
The place the 2 differ, nevertheless, is the reception from their friends within the league and the microscope they’ve performed underneath from a nationwide perspective. Wembanyama, for all of the hype that surrounded him, appeared on nationwide tv 19 instances within the common season. That was a significant soar for a San Antonio staff that solely appeared on nationwide TV as soon as the 12 months prior. However 36 of Clark’s 40 video games can be on nationwide tv.
Wembanyama dazzled along with his freakish athleticism that made even the biggest within the recreation gush about him. Outdoors of some impolite posterizations, that are sure to occur to any shot blocker, Wembanyama was principally allowed to settle in as a rookie, freed from his friends making an attempt to knock him down a peg with low-cost pictures or quips to the media.
The identical can’t be stated for Clark, whose subsequent recreation is Thursday towards Atlanta. In what has been a wierd begin to her professional profession, opposing gamers have mocked, body-checked and overtly downplayed her significance to the sport’s present ascension. It has led to an ungainly Clark vs. the WNBA storyline that she didn’t create and hasn’t cultivated. However the flames have been steadily fanned by her friends and nationwide media.
For probably the most half, Wembanyama and Clark performed like rookies sometimes play, even the famous person ones. They’ve had their fair proportion of brilliance, together with the rising pains of turning the ball over an excessive amount of or being outmuscled on protection.
One season of Wembanyama indicated he’s a star who will shine vivid for a decade or extra. 13 video games of Clark is hardly sufficient to make a profession assertion, however it’s a great guess she would be the face of the league for years to come back.
