Fresh off winning the WNBA All-Star game together Saturday in Phoenix, Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale heaped praise on teammate-for-the-day Caitlin Clark .
While it was the first time they have shared the court, Ogunbowale has been a long-time admirer of Clark. That dates back to Clark's impressive college career, where she smashed multiple records at Iowa.
“Yeah, well I've been a fan of hers since she's been in college,” Ogunbowale told ESPN's SportsCenter. “We exchanged while she was in college because I just love hoopers. You guys obviously see my game, and I see a lot of similarities. She knows how to get a bucket.”
Ogunbowale poured in an All-Star record 34 points on 8/14 shooting on 3-pointers to help carry Team WNBA 117-109 over Team USA. Clark struggled from the field, going just 2/9 and scoring 4 points, though she dished out a game-high 10 assists.
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Ogunbowale’s impressive display earned the Wings’ leading scorer her second All-Star MVP nod. Her first came back in 2021, when she scored 26 points in yet another victory over Team USA.
Ogunbowale and Clark were two of the most notable omissions from Team USA’s 2024 announced Olympic roster. Ogunbowale ranks third in the league in PPG while Clark leads in the WNBA in assists per game.
Ogunbowale’s comments partially came in response to Clark’s quotes following the contest. The former Iowa star spoke highly of her All-Star teammate.
“There’s nothing you can do in those situations when she’s making step-back threes and contested floaters,” Clark said at the All-Star game press conference. “In my eyes she’s the best one-one player in this league.”
“They tried to sub me in for her [in the third quarter] and I’m like ‘no, I’m good.’ I’m gonna stay over here on the bench and let her do her thing.”
Ogunbowale had more praise for Clark, adding: “Playing with her I got to pick her brain a little bit and see how she thinks and how she moves as a teammate…she’s an amazing player and Indiana is lucky to have her.”
The Wings’ forward certainly took note of Clark’s comments, stating “that’s dope of her to show me that praise on TV.”
The WNBA will be off until August 15th while Team USA competes at the Olympics, allowing rookies like Clark and fellow All-Star Angel Reese the opportunity to take a much-needed break . Ogunbowale's Wings will face the Connecticut Sun on August 16th in Dallas while Clark and the Fever will host the Phoenix Mercury the same evening.
The Dallas Wings currently sit bottom of the standings with a 6-19 record while the Indiana Fever sit seventh, good enough for a playoff spot with a 11-15 record.
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