Arike Ogunbowale and Caitlin Clark represented Team WNBA in the 2024 All-Star game
Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale lavished praise on Caitlin Clark after teaming up with the Indiana Fever rookie during the All-Star game. Ogunbowale and Clark spearheaded Team WNBA’s 117-109 win over Team USA in the All-Star Game on Saturday. Ogunbowale stole the limelight with a stupendous performance, securing her second All-Star Game MVP award.
The point guard dropped 34 points, all of which came in the second half. Ogunbowale shot 10-for-20 from the field, including an incredible 8-of-13 from 3-point range.
The four-time All-Star had some kind words for Clark after getting to play with the Fever rookie for the first time. Ogunbowale dissected Clark’s scoring and passing ability along with calling the rising superstar one of her favorite players in the league (via SportsCenter):
“I’ve been a fan of her since she’s been in college. We exchanged while she was in college, because I just love hoopers. You guys obviously see my game, and you know, I see a lot of similarities. She knows how to get a bucket, she can create for herself and she can create for teammates,” Ogunbowale said.
“I just love her game. It’s fun playing against her. She brings the crowd every time so I am definitely going to show up. Playing with her, I got to see how she thinks and how she moves as a teammate. She’s an amazing player. You know, Indiana is definitely lucky to have her…She’s one of my favorite players in the league as well,” she added.
Ogunbowale’s comments on Clark came after the latter’s whole-hearted admission about the former during the All-Star Game.
Caitlin Clark calls Arike Ogunbowale “best 1-on-1 player”
During the game when Ogunbowale was on a heater, Caitlin Clark candidly called the Dallas Wings’ star the “best 1-on-1 player” in the league while speaking with the broadcaster.
After the game, Clark reflected on Ogunbowale’s skillset and shed light on her ability to create whatever shot she wants:
“She [Ogunbowale] just has that skill. She can get whatever shot, whenever she wants it. That’s how good she is with the ball. It was fun to watch. That was exciting for me,” Clark told reporters.
Caitlin Clark endured a poor shooting night in the All-Star Game as she shot 2-of-9 from the field and went 0-of-7 from beyond the arc. But that didn’t stop Clark from creating scoring opportunities for her teammates.
She regularly threaded Team USA’s defense with some spectacular passes, ending the game with 10 assists to her name.