Sheryl Swoopes, a WNBA legend known for her no-nonsense approach, found herself in a whirl of admiration, curiosity, and perhaps a dash of mischief after Caitlin Clark’s groundbreaking recognition as TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year. Appearing on Gil’s Arena podcast, Swoopes lauded Clark’s achievement while hinting that A’ja Wilson deserves some of that spotlight too. Call it the ultimate slam dunk of praise mixed with a subtle alley-oop of nomination.
“Clark Made History, but What About A’ja?”
For the uninitiated, Caitlin Clark became the first-ever WNBA player to snag the prestigious TIME honor. Yes, the very first. Let that sink in. Swoopes, however, seemed intrigued—not shocked. When podcast host Josiah Johnson asked her reaction, she delivered an applause-worthy response:
“I don’t think I am surprised,” she began, with a tone suggesting that excellence from women’s basketball should no longer shock anyone. “The fact that she’s the very first WNBA player to ever win TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year is pretty special.”
But Swoopes didn’t stop there. As the discussion turned to potential candidates who could have also been in contention, she boldly interjected, “You can put A’ja Wilson in there!” One could almost hear the mic drop.
The ever-savvy Johnson and Gilbert Arenas chimed in, reminiscing about past TIME winners like LeBron James and Lionel Messi, setting the stage for a deeper conversation about the criteria for such an award. Performance? Impact? Or maybe sheer pizzazz?
Clark’s Candid Moment Leaves Swoopes Stunned
While Swoopes’s nomination of Wilson sparked lively debate, it was Caitlin Clark’s TIME Magazine interview that truly flipped the script. The Indiana Fever star didn’t just celebrate her win—she addressed privilege in a way that left even seasoned pros like Swoopes momentarily speechless.
Clark didn’t mince words. “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege. A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them,” she stated.
Cue the record scratch. A star athlete openly acknowledging systemic inequities and calling for the upliftment of Black women in basketball? That’s not just playing the game; that’s rewriting the playbook.
Clark added, “The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important.”
Back in the podcast studio, the panel turned to Swoopes for her reaction, but even the unflappable WNBA icon seemed momentarily out of words. Perhaps it wasn’t speechlessness but a sign of respect for Clark’s boldness—or maybe she was plotting her next nomination speech for A’ja Wilson.
What’s Next for the WNBA’s Superstars?
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s TIME honor has thrown open doors for women’s basketball and reignited discussions about diversity, equity, and recognition in sports. Meanwhile, Swoopes’s shout-out to A’ja Wilson ensures that the debate over who truly deserves the next big accolade won’t be going away anytime soon.
With a mix of celebration, humor, and a subtle call to action, this episode of Gil’s Arena reminded us why women’s basketball is the game to watch—not just for the on-court action but for the conversations it sparks.
So, here’s a parting thought: If Clark just made history and Swoopes is already plotting the next chapter, could the future belong to A’ja Wilson—or someone else entirely? Stay tuned, because this is one game that’s far from over.
