WNBA All-Star and current ESPN commentator Chiney Ogwumike believes Caitlin Clark has responsibilities beyond basketball.
Ogwumike, who is not playing in the WNBA this season but has not formally announced her retirement, has positioned Clark as the new “face of the league.”
And she told ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday that there’s more to it than what you see on the court.
“If you asked me two years ago, even two months ago, who the face of the WNBA is, I would have said A’ja Wilson,” Ogwumike said. “She’s the most dominant player in the WNBA right now. But for better or worse, there’s been a shift that’s happened where she’s not necessarily the face of the league. The face of the league is now Caitlin Clark.”
Ogwumike later added, “She doesn’t just represent herself as an individual, as a basketball player, she is the face of the league that has consistently built its foundation and has been known for her advocacy work over the last few years, starting in 2020.”
The comments come shortly after Clark suggested his name not be used to further anyone’s cause.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Clark said he has no control over the speech around him or what he sees, adding, “People can say what they want to say. I’m just here to play basketball.”
Clark was then directly asked how she felt about her name being used in connection to racism and misogyny, to which she added: “It’s unfortunate. My name should not be used to push those agendas.”
Sun reporter DiJonai Carrington, who has closely followed the Iowa product during Clark’s games, spoke about Clark’s initial comments on Thursday’s X.
“Why don’t you care that your name is being used to justify racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia and the intersections of all of these? We’re all aware of that shit. We all have platforms. We all have voices and they all have influence. Silence is a luxury,” Carrington posted to X.
Ogwumike said Friday that it’s all part of an effort to grow basketball, adding that Clark’s role extends beyond basketball.
“As Caitlin grows [Clark] “It’s brought a lot of growing pains,” she said.
She later added: “Now you have the opportunity to educate the people who are coming with you … so you can focus on the game.”
