WNBA icon Sheryl Swoopes has once again drawn backlash from Caitlin Clark fans with her latest comments about the Indiana Fever star rookie.
Swoopes appeared on the “Gill's Arena” podcast and discussed whether Clark is currently dominant in the WNBA.
“If we had the numbers, if we were talking about Caitlin Clark being dominant, what would the numbers be? [have to be]asked three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) questions the lack of a foul during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
“That's a very good number, but to me it's not an overwhelming number,” Swoopes replied.
Swoopes further explained his opinion, referencing previous comments he made about Clark and fellow rookie Angel Reese not expecting to dominate at the W right away.
WNBA icon Sheryl Swoopes explains false statements made by Caitlin Clark, slams former friend Nancy Lieberman
“Everybody was like, 'I told you she's not good,' and I didn't say she's not good,” Swoopes said. “What I said was I didn't think Kaitlyn or Angel were going to come into the league and be dominant right away, but I didn't think either of them were. … I still don't think so. [Clark’s] She's been dominant, but she's a different player than she was earlier in the season.”
Swoopes may not think Clark is a dominant force, but her numbers this season suggest otherwise: Clark is averaging 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game this season, more than or better than anyone else in WNBA history.
Clark has also broken WNBA records, and not just in her rookie season: She holds the league record for most assists in a season (321), set a WNBA record with 19 assists in a single game, and was the fastest player in history to reach 300 assists.
Clark holds the single-season rookie records for points and assists.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball on the court during Friday's 99-88 loss to the Minnesota Lynx at Gainbride Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith/USA TODAY Network)
Swoopes believes Clark has been impressive, but doesn't call it dominant.
“I never questioned whether Kaitlyn was a good player or not. I think she's a really good player,” Swoopes explained. “I thought it was going to take her some time to adjust to being a pro, and I think she's done just that.”
Hall of Famer Swoopes hosted X-Space earlier this month and addressed the controversy over past comments he made about Clark, saying he has been criticized as “unfair” to the Iowa Hokies alum.
Swoopes infamously criticized Clark's collegiate career, using the phrase “25-year-olds playing against 20-year-olds” when talking about her massive success at that level, and suggesting that Clark played five seasons in college when in fact she only played four and averaged 22.7 shots per game, but Swoopes suggested she averaged over 40 shots per game.
Swoopes admitted that he “said the wrong thing” during the space chat.
Sheryl Swoopes speaks at the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium at the FedExForum in downtown Memphis, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. (image)
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“I don't owe anybody an apology,” Swoopes said at an event attended by Fox News Digital. “I've reached out to Caitlyn. We had a great conversation.”
Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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