On Tuesday, Caitlin Clark etched her name into sports history as TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, becoming the first-ever WNBA player to snag this prestigious honor. But in a move straight out of a “Real Housewives” reunion special, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes questioned whether Clark’s win was as groundbreaking as it seems—or if the bar for greatness had quietly shifted.
Clark’s resume certainly sparkles. A dazzling NCAA career led to a Rookie of the Year performance with the Indiana Fever that redefined viewership records and brought basketball fandom into a whole new stratosphere. Even non-basketball fans started paying attention, drawn to her high-octane playing style and on-court swagger.
But when Gilbert Arenas and Josiah Johnson brought up Clark’s award on the No Chill podcast, Swoopes had thoughts—very Sheryl Swoopes thoughts.
“I don’t think I’m surprised,” Swoopes began diplomatically. Then came the pivot, sharper than one of her old crossovers: “I’m curious to know who the other candidates were, but the fact that that’s the very first WNBA player to ever win TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year is pretty special. My question is, the criteria—is it based off of her performance on the court, which she had a great year, or is it more about the impact she had on the game this season?”
Translation: “Congrats, but let me just side-eye this trophy for a sec.”
Swoopes vs. Clark: A Subtle Rivalry?
This isn’t the first time Swoopes has stirred the Caitlin Clark pot. Earlier this year, she made waves by suggesting that Clark’s collegiate scoring record was more about quantity than quality, implying she broke the mark because of extra playing time and a shot selection that would make a 3-point contest look tame. Turns out, Clark averaged just over 20 shots per game—not the 40 Swoopes implied—and played four seasons, not five. A slight exaggeration, Sheryl.
Swoopes later claimed to have apologized, but fans have been quick to point out that her current comments seem like a continuation of her Clark skepticism, dressed up in polite curiosity.
Meanwhile, Clark isn’t just breaking records—she’s breaking barriers. In her TIME Magazine feature, she graciously thanked WNBA icons like Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Dawn Staley for paving the way but didn’t shy away from acknowledging her own privilege as a white athlete in a predominantly Black league.
“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,” Clark said. She went on to advocate for more recognition, investment, and appreciation for Black women in the WNBA, adding that elevating them would create a “beautiful” future for the league.
The Silence Speaks Volumes
When Johnson asked Swoopes for her take on Clark’s statement, the WNBA legend opted for the basketball equivalent of a shot clock violation—she said absolutely nothing.
Was it strategic restraint? Was she biting back another potential firestorm of controversy? Or was it an unspoken acknowledgment of the complexities surrounding race, privilege, and recognition in professional sports?
The Verdict
While Caitlin Clark continues to shine as the face of a new era in women’s basketball, Sheryl Swoopes seems determined to play the role of the discerning elder stateswoman, asking tough questions even when they come off as thinly veiled digs. Whether you see her comments as fair critique or low-key shade depends on how you interpret her tone.
One thing’s for sure: The WNBA is thriving under the spotlight, with conversations—both celebratory and contentious—keeping it at the forefront of sports media. And for that, we can thank Clark, Swoopes, and every passionate fan willing to dissect every word, stat, and award.
Let the debates rage on. After all, that’s what keeps sports fun, right?
