Strangest, hardest and most painful things Caitlin Clark had to endure as a WNBA rookie

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner continue to jaw at each other during their Game 2 matchup.

Caitlin Clark's rookie season is officially over. 

She and the Indiana Fever were sweep victims of the Connecticut Sun and DiJonai Carrington in a series where Carrington gave the rookie a black eye in Game 1 and Clark had to have an opposing fan removed in Game 2. All the while, she only managed a 35% field goal percentage and just 20% from 3. 

But it was hardly the first difficult week Clark had since college. The WNBA has been a punishing environment on multiple layers for the rookie phenom. And as great as her talent to be, she often had to face even greater obstacles and scrutiny due to the transcendent spotlight that was always above her. 

Here's a look back at the strangest, hardest and most painful rookie moments that Clark had to experience, all before turning 23:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts during the second half against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 10, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

As far as strange or hard moments go, this one actually isn't even exclusive to Clark. She was simply being indoctrinated into a ritual within the Indiana Fever. Clark had to sing Happy Birthday to Fever teammate Lexie Hull on Sept. 13, which is customary for Fever rookies. 

"It's a tough job," Clark said. 

But Clark, being the only Fever rookie, had to give a solo performance, she told reporters that day. The Fever had three picks in this year's draft, but their other two picks, Celeste Taylor and Leilani Correa, did not last long with the team. Taylor now plays for Phoenix and