Sheryl Swoopes has made her stance on Caitlin Clark clear throughout the 2024 WNBA season, and this past week was no exception. On a recent episode of her podcast, “Queens of the Court,” Swoopes discussed the Indiana Fever’s remarkable improvement but notably did not extend any credit to Clark, the team’s star rookie. Instead, Swoopes focused her praise on Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull—players who undoubtedly deserve recognition but whose contributions have been complemented by Clark’s standout performances.
This omission did not go unnoticed. On Friday, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith took to the airwaves to criticize Swoopes for what he perceived as a slight against Clark, the former Iowa Hawkeyes sensation who has been instrumental in the Fever’s resurgence this season. “Do you realize, Sheryl Swoopes, that you’re insane to do that?” Smith exclaimed, calling out the WNBA legend for what he viewed as disrespect.
Swoopes was quick to respond, defending her position and her right to focus on the players she chose to highlight. Taking to social media, she fired back at Smith, writing, “You talk about whomever and whatever you want to on your podcast. Correct? So why can’t I? Also, did you listen to the ENTIRE episode? NOPE! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve recognition as well.”
This isn’t the first time Swoopes has downplayed Clark’s impact. Back in July, the former Houston Comets star stirred controversy by suggesting that the Fever would be in playoff contention even without Clark, crediting the team’s other stars instead. However, this view overlooks the fact that Indiana was the worst team in the league last season, which led to them securing the No. 1 pick in the draft—a pick they used to select Clark.
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Clark’s influence on the Fever has been undeniable. Since joining the team, she has propelled them into playoff contention. If the season ended today, the Fever would hold the seventh seed in the WNBA playoffs with a 13-15 record. Clark’s individual stats are equally impressive: she’s averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.3 assists per game in 35.2 minutes per contest. Additionally, she has shattered numerous records, including the WNBA single-game assist record and becoming the first-ever rookie to record a triple-double.
Swoopes, a legend in her own right, is no stranger to the pressures of the spotlight. As a four-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets and a three-time WNBA MVP, her opinions carry significant weight.
However, her reluctance to acknowledge Clark’s contributions has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
As the WNBA season progresses and the Fever continue their push for the playoffs, the spotlight will remain on both Clark’s performance and Swoopes’ commentary.
Whether Swoopes will eventually recognize Clark’s impact or continue to focus on the team’s other stars remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark has already made her mark on the league, and the conversation surrounding her is far from over.
