CAITLIN Clark has endured a rough start to her WNBA career.

The Indiana Fever are 0-5, and Clark has struggled to make an impact om the court during her team’s rough start.

Caitlin Clark has endured a rough start to her WNBA careerCredit: Getty

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Clark and the Indiana Fever have lost their first five games of the seasonCredit: Getty

The WNBA has played Clark hard, giving her a tough time to establish her presence on the court.

In her first game, Clark scored 20 points, but turned the ball over 10 times.

She is averaging 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the team’s first five games.

Her numbers are a far cry from her college averages, where Clark went off for 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game.

Clark isn’t alone in her rookie struggles though, as many Hall of Fame-level athletes had rough starts to their career.

Take a look at some of the best athletes in American sports history and how they struggled to take off at the start of their careers.

TERRY BRADSHAW

Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls after a horrendous rookie yearCredit: Getty
Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, won an MVP, and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

However, you would never be able to see his greatness from the start of his career.

Bradshaw’s rookie season in 1970 was a nightmare. He played in 13 games, starting eight of them, and only managed 1,410 yards.

On top of that he threw only six touchdowns compared to 24 interceptions.

TROY AIKMAN

Troy Aikman won three Super Bowls after not winning a game his rookie yearCredit: Getty
Troy Aikman is a Dallas Cowboys legend, but his rookie season left fans anxious for the future.

After being drafted with the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Aikman lost all 11 games he played in his rookie season.

He threw for only 1,749 yards with nine touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

Aikman went on to win three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, making six Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

DIRK NOWITZKI

Dirk Nowitzki only averaged eight points is rookie year but made 14 All Star teamsCredit: AFP
Dirk Nowitzki is one of the NBA’s greatest ever European imports, but struggled immensely to start his career.

After being drafted in the first round, Nowitzki averaged only 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.

He would go on to make an astounding 14 All Star teams, 12 All-NBA teams, win the 2006-07 MVP, and make the Hall of Fame.

GREG MADDUX

Greg Maddux won four Cy Young Awards after having a 5.50 ERA his first two yearsCredit: Getty
Greg Maddux was a terrifying force on the mound, but struggled to make an impact in his first two seasons.

In 1986 and 1987 he posted a 5.52 ERA and a 5.61 ERA. He would never go above a 4.24 ERA for the rest of his career.

Maddux won four Cy Young Awards, 18 Gold Glove Awards, won the 1995 World Series, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

His 3,371 strikeouts are the 10th most for a pitcher of all time.

KOBE BRYANT

Kobe Bryan notably only played 15.5 minutes per game his rookie year before becoming a legendCredit: Getty
Kobe Bryant is indisputably one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

However, his rookie season left a lot to be desired, as he only played 15.5 minutes per game.