It is not by coincidence that her name is Clark like our beloved superhero Superman a.k.a. Clark Kent. Alysha Clark has been the Superwoman for the Seattle Storm. She might not have eye-turning highlights nor is a consistent double-digit scorer, but what she does for the Storm is unmatched.
Clark, an eight-year veteran out of Middle Tennessee State University, was recently announced as an inductee in the Blue Raider Hall of Fame. The 5-foot-11 post player was such a force in scoring in the post. Thanks to her 50-point game in her senior year, she led the NCAA Division I at 27.5 points per game.
In 2010, she was drafted by the San Antonio Stars as the 17th pick however, she did not make the final cut for that year. In 2012 she was signed by Seattle and the rest is history.
Finding a home in Seattle
Storm signed Alysha Clark in 2012 with the emphasis of her being valuable in the team’s defense. In her first two years in a Storm uniform, it was her transitioning phase from college to becoming a pro. It was undeniable that she could score on anyone with her back to the basket but with her size, she had to transition to guard plays and a wing facing the basket for the WNBA.
She had the first career start in 2014, and since then she never stopped impacting her team in any way she can. In Seattle’s championship run in 2018, Clark was a key piece. She was shooting 50% from the floor with 45.8% efficiency behind the three-point line. Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird carrying most of the scoring load, but her averages of 8.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the playoffs were big additions.
In a 2018 interview, Sue Bird saw similarities with Clark and the legend, and former Seattle forward, Tina Thompson in their game.
“What Swin and AC were great at as post players, they kept. That’s a huge advantage for them at the guard spot. You don’t want to lose who you are completely.”
Now in her eighth year in Seattle, she is continuing to impress with her unmatched value both on the offensive and defensive side. Night after night, she has the toughest matchup assignments and at the same time gives her team the offense that they need.
First comes the defense, then comes Clark’s offense
Her long overdue honor finally came in 2019. Helping the Storm allow a league-low 75.1 points per game, selected as one of the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team.
For instance, even the WNBA’s scoring leader of all-time Diana Taurasi had something to say about the way she defends players.
“She’s probably the best defender in this league. She’s strong, she’s physical. It’s like having a little bodyguard wherever I go.”
Diana Taurasi on Alysha Clark defending her
But her contribution did not end there. It was all about improving in all aspects of her game. Also in 2019, she led the league in 3-points percentage. She had the league-high 48.11% from beyond the arc.
It may be her defense on a player, disrupting plays, running the floor for a transition play, or her sinking threes, Clark’s importance translates to her game statistics. This season, she leads the league in offensive rating with 129.1 and true shooting percentage at 0.654. She is also in the top 10 for 3-PT field goal percentage, offensive/defensive rating, and offensive/defensive win shares.
Clark has a strong case for this year’s Defensive Player of the Year. Throughout the year she has justified her mastery at that end of the floor. Switching assignment through 1-5, getting steals, rebounds, and limiting great scorers from their averages; these are surely checked in Clark’s games.
Storm goes as far as Clark goes
For the 2020 quest of the WNBA title, it is evident how Stewart or Bird’s importance is on a team. But with these offensive threats all over the floor, Clark is usually the less point of emphasis on the other team’s defense.
Her efficiency as a two-way player would lead to a huge success for the Storm’s 2020 campaign. With only three games remaining in the regular season; Seattle is now looking at the big picture of actually winning it all.
All things considered, Seattle Storm is a team that knows their roles as good, if not better, as anyone else in the league. All 12 players play their roles in an almost perfect harmony that only a team with a championship mentality has. With an impressive 16-3 record, the Storm surely are buckled for a deep playoffs run that would start next week.
Superman did not have anyone to combat his battles with. But Alysha Clark Seattle Storm’s own Superwoman definitely has her team behind her back.
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