Move over, Taylor Swift; there’s a new queen in town, and she’s dribbling her way into the hearts of fans! According to WNBA Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, Caitlin Clark is more than just the future of basketball—she’s basically the Taylor Swift of the hardwood. A bold comparison? Absolutely. But when you’re scoring, breaking records, and filling arenas like Clark, the metaphor just might stick.
From Rookie to Rockstar: The Legend Grows
Clark, the 22-year-old phenom from the Indiana Fever, hasn’t just arrived in the WNBA—she’s kicked the door down like she’s late to her own concert. While her critics (looking at you, Sheryl Swoopes) argue that she’s overhyped, Clark’s stardom is undeniable. And Lieberman, a 1984 WNBA champion and current NBA analyst, has made it clear: Clark’s impact on women’s basketball is like Taylor Swift crashing the music charts in 2009.
“It doesn’t matter who people are obsessing over this month. It’s all about Caitlin Clark,” Lieberman told SiriusXM NBA Radio. “Her fans? They’re Swifties with sneakers. Walk into any arena, and half the crowd is wearing her jersey.”
Swifty Fever Sweeps the Court
If Swifties show up in droves for a pop concert, then Clark fans (should we call them ‘Clarkers’?) are doing the same for every game. Attendance has skyrocketed since her debut, to the point that the Fever had to borrow the Indiana Pacers’ stadium just to handle the overflow. Imagine the Fever becoming so popular that even the Pacers are looking around like, “Wait, what?”
And we’re not just talking about full stands; Clark’s impact has reached TV screens, too. She’s smashing records like a guitar at a rock show, pulling in massive television ratings and selling merch like it’s the latest Eras Tour t-shirt.
Stats Don’t Lie: Clark is Backing It Up
With fame comes pressure, and the question always looms: can she back it up? Oh, she can. Clark is tearing through the WNBA like a player possessed. She’s averaging 19 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game this season, making her a legitimate MVP candidate alongside A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. And just for fun, she was also crowned WNBA Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month in August—because why not?
Since July, the Fever have been on fire, winning 10 of their last 15 games, and a lot of that success is due to Clark’s absurd point haul—she’s dropped 343 points over that stretch. The only thing hotter than Clark right now might be her shooting hand!
Haters Gonna Hate, But Clark’s Playing Great
Of course, in true superstar fashion, Clark has her critics. Sheryl Swoopes might think she’s overrated, but Nancy Lieberman isn’t having it. For Lieberman, Clark is the media superstar in the WNBA, and more importantly, she’s proven she belongs at the top. “Every time someone doubts her, she’s already three steps ahead, draining a three-pointer,” Lieberman said. “Like Swift, she’s got an army of fans who will defend her to the end.”
The Road Ahead
Next up for Clark and the Fever? A showdown against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, September 8. With a postseason berth secured, it’s all about seeing how far this Fever dream can go. Can Clark and her squad pull off a deep playoff run? If her star continues to shine this bright, don’t be surprised if they do.
Whether you think she’s the next Taylor Swift or simply Caitlin Clark—basketball’s next big thing—one thing’s for sure: she’s here to stay, and she’s taking the WNBA by storm. So buckle up; it’s going to be one wild ride.