Caitlin Clark, WNBA sensation and all-around hoops queen, has managed to achieve something truly spectacular this season—she’s made Sheryl Swoopes eat her words. Yes, the Sheryl Swoopes. The one who, just a few months ago, seemed less impressed with Clark than a cat watching someone wave a cucumber in its face. But now, after an astonishing rookie season that made the WNBA sit up and take notice, Swoopes has flipped the script faster than a pancake at a diner.
The U-Turn Heard Around the WNBA
Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion and three-time MVP, wasn’t exactly on the Caitlin Clark bandwagon back in March. In fact, she barely waved at it as it passed by. During a podcast, Swoopes threw shade at Clark’s NCAA scoring record, claiming it was inflated because, in her words, “she’s basically 25, and in her fifth year.” Reality check: Clark is 22. I guess math wasn’t Swoopes’ strong suit that day. Not only did she question Clark’s age (ouch), but she also took a jab at her shot attempts. According to Swoopes, Clark was out there taking “40 shots a game.” Someone please get her a calculator, because the actual average is significantly less. But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good roast?
Rookie Year, Real Deal
Fast forward to the end of the WNBA regular season, and Clark’s stats were the perfect mic drop: 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. But what’s even more impressive is her ability to shoot 41.7 percent from the field—basically turning every WNBA arena into her own personal shooting gallery. So much for being just another college star who fizzles out in the pros, right? Not only did she dominate on the court, but she also bagged the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in a near-unanimous vote, securing 66 out of 67 votes. Who was the one holdout? That person needs a stern talking to.
Swoopes’ Sudden Change of Heart
As the season wrapped up, and Clark’s brilliance shined brighter than ever, even Swoopes couldn’t hold back. After months of pretending Clark didn’t exist, she finally came around, gushing over Clark’s performance like someone who had just discovered pizza for the first time. “I just thought what Caitlin was able to do coming into the league this season… she was just crazy,” Swoopes admitted. “Just shooting the basketball, her ability to put the ball where it needs to be when it needed to be there.”
Wait, what? This is the same person who had previously praised the Indiana Fever without even mentioning Clark’s name! Now, Swoopes was practically ready to write her a fan letter. Talk about a 180-degree turn. Clark’s talent was undeniable, and even Swoopes had to acknowledge that her earlier skepticism might have been a little… misplaced, to put it lightly.
A Rookie with Attitude – and Skills
But hey, Clark probably isn’t sweating the earlier critiques. After all, she’s been too busy balling out and making a name for herself as one of the most electrifying players in the league. Critics? Haters? They’re probably just background noise for someone who’s spent the past few months silencing them one three-pointer at a time. Clark’s ability to combine slick passing, killer shots, and ice-cold composure under pressure has earned her a legion of new fans—some of whom used to be skeptics like Swoopes.
From Shade to Praise
Swoopes’ change of heart is proof that no one can resist Clark’s game for long. Whether it’s her jaw-dropping assists, smooth shooting, or her incredible court vision, she’s a player who’s here to stay. Even after her Fever team bowed out in the first round of the playoffs to the Connecticut Sun, Clark has proven that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the league.
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Well, when Caitlin Clark steps on the court, even the harshest critics might want to think twice before speaking too soon. Otherwise, they’ll end up having to backtrack like Swoopes—doing verbal gymnastics to make up for their earlier comments.
In the end, Clark didn’t just silence her critics; she made them her biggest fans. And that, my friends, is the true mark of a superstar.