WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has an interesting response to Caitlin Clark's Time Athlete of the Year interview, in which the Fever star acknowledges white privilege and believes in elevating black athletes. He said he would like to use his platform to
During Tuesday's installment, Podcast “Gills Arena”, When co-host Josiah Johnson mentioned that Clark said the league was built primarily on the shoulders of black players, Swoopes was speechless and shrugged. Swoopes was one of the first players to sign with the WNBA when the league launched in 1996.
“What do you think about Caitlin Clark saying she wants to use her platform to elevate Black women in the WNBA, who have clearly helped build the WNBA into the league it is today?” Johnson asked. .
Swoopes, who has been at the center of many of Clark's controversies, and has sometimes been the root of them, nodded in an awkward silence.
Someone off-camera can be heard laughing before Johnson says “OK.”
Swoopes moved on to another topic and began speaking again.
She explained that she was not surprised that Clark, who was the No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA draft, was named to the All-Star team and won Rookie of the Year, was named Time Athlete of the Year. .
“I don't think I'm surprised. I'd like to know who the other nominees were, but the fact that it's the first WNBA player to win Time magazine's Athlete of the Year award is pretty special. ” Swoopes said.
“And my question is, is the criteria based on her performance on the court? Yeah, she's having a great year. Or is it based on the impact she's had on her game this season?” Was it bigger? …I think that's great – and not just for her. I think it's great for the league as well. Everyone was talking about the recognition she brought to the W-League this season, so for her to be named Time magazine's Athlete of the Year is really great for the league. I think so.”
A three-time MVP, Swoopes won four consecutive NBA championships as a member of the Houston Comets from 1997 to 2000. She also won three Olympic gold medals with USA Basketball.
Clark said in an interview. told the time“I'd like to say I've had everything, but as a white person, I'm privileged. A lot of the really good players in the league were black players. This league is kind of built on them. .
“I think it's really important if we can value that more, highlight that more, talk about it, and continue to invest in the players that make this league great for brands and companies to try and change that.” We have to continue to do that. If we can lift up more black women, that's going to be great.”
Clark, 22, doubled down on her comments on stage Wednesday at Time Dinner at Current at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
The WNBA star explained that he's good at “blocking things out” when asked about what's next Criticism of Megyn Kelly's comments about white privilege.
Earlier this year, Swoopes faced backlash: previous comment She made the remarks about Clark on another episode of her podcast, “Gills Arena,” when she questioned the validity of Clark's all-time scoring record at the University of Iowa and falsely claimed he had five years to break it. .
plummeting before She denied having anything against Clark.and praised her play.
The WNBA legend also said Clark's fans committed evil acts against her.
