Dallas Wings superstar Arike Ogunbowale is not too happy with the current narrative that WNBA players are being extra physical towards rookies, particularly to Indiana Fever sharpshooter Caitlin Clark.

Wings Superstar Fires Stern Message To WNBA Fans Amid Caitlin Clark Drama - Athlon Sports

Ogunbowale emphasized that the WNBA has been physical for a long time already, and what’s currently happening is nothing new to the league. Unfortunately, many fans are making a big deal out of it amid the attention that the 2024 class–led by Clark–is getting.

“This has been like this since my rookie year… Literally nothing new. You get fouled, that’s what it is. The men get fouled, I don’t see people saying ‘oh, why did he do this?’ It’s basketball… It’s no different man or woman,” Ogunbowale said, per Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints.


Jun 1, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against the Chicago Sky during a game at Grainbridge Fieldhouse. Michelle Pemberton/INDIANAPOLIS STAR-USA TODAY Sports© Provided by Athlon Sports

The physicality in the WNBA has become a bigger issue after Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter shoulder-checked Clark from behind and caused her to fall on the ground. It was definitely a cheap shot, a move that only further fueled the narrative that vets in the league are purposely targeting and hurting Clark as well as other rookies.

However, the 27-year-old Ogunbowale–who has been in the WNBA since 2019– noted that it’s a normal thing and wasn’t a surprise to her.

“Nothing is a surprise. I fall on the floor, glory to God I get back up… I don’t really talk about the media, but it kind of annoys me how they make such a big deal about the physicality…The new people, they might be like ‘oh, this is tough.’ But this is just what it’s been,” the three-time All-Star shared.

It is true that physicality in the WNBA has already been present for years. With that said, newer fans should probably get used to it. Besides, it’s also a fact that a lot of players are highly physical towards each other, not only on Clark.

As for the Carter incident, though, physicality is still not an excuse to purposely hit and hurt someone. It has become such a big issue because of the popularity of the Fever rookie. But at the end of the day, no one can deny that what happened to Clark with Carter is a dirty play.