Since Caitlin Clark got drafted in the WNBA in 2024, there has always been tension between her and the league’s officiating. CC berating the referees during games and through the media has been a fixture throughout her short career.

After her widely publicized altercation with Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas, Clark, aside from condemning the harassment Thomas received, once again urged the league to improve its officiating to better protect its players.

This has prompted longtime analyst Jason Whitlock to speak on Clark’s comments, believing that the Indiana Fever star is actually contributing to some of the officiating issues she is experiencing and urges her to stop complaining and just play.

“Caitlin Clark is a big driving force in the disrespect of WNBA referees,” Whitlock said. “I love Caitlin Clark, I love watching her play, but this is something since college that has driven me and her father crazy.”

“You can’t argue to me that her father’s not rooting for her, but he was yelling like ‘Hey, leave the damn refs alone. Shut up.’ And that’s what I think a lot of times when I’m watching Caitlin Clark,” he continued.

Stick to her role

Ever since college, Clark has developed a reputation for frequently complaining to referees. Whether it’s missed calls or arguing with bad whistles, her somewhat disdainful attitude toward referees has become part of her reputation.

This has obviously not been welcomed by many, including her father, Brent, who went viral during March Madness after being seen telling his daughter to stop complaining and instead focus on the game

Clark herself has become so polarizing after emerging as one of the most popular women’s basketball players ever. Which is why Whitlock is urging her to stop her constant fighting with the referees, because he believes it only draws more whistles than it stops.

“She has this obsession with pissing on the referees…They’re the voiceless, marginalized. And you’re publicly pissing on them, and you’re wondering why they don’t officiate in your favor when you’re constantly berating them and showing them up,” Whitlock stated.

In reality, CC has always played with more passion than everyone. She rarely hides her emotions, from hitting big shots to frowning during bad moments. Not to mention that she has also been seen in the past being vocal with her Fever head coach, Stephanie White and her teammates.

It all culminated early in June when CC and White got into an argument during a game, which led to her getting benched. Though the argument was the first time Clark had been vocal with her head coach, it still didn’t help the narrative around her intense passion around her team. While this has made her an icon to many, it has also alienated her to some.

“These are things Caitlin Clark needs to improve on. Play your role. You’re a player, let the coaches coach the referees,” urged Whitlock. “You don’t need things. There’s a replay that’s going to happen, and if they got the call wrong, it’s going to get corrected. No one needs to hear from Caitlin Clark.