NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal initially resisted joining the Caitlin Clark fan club, but eventually, her undeniable talent won him over. In a candid interview with *Sports Illustrated*, O’Neal opened up about his journey from initially trying to dislike Clark to becoming a full-fledged admirer of her game.
At the heart of O’Neal’s hesitation was his loyalty to fellow LSU alum Angel Reese, a star in her own right. As the president of basketball for Reebok, O’Neal had a vested interest in supporting Reese, having signed her as one of his first major endorsement moves. Naturally, he felt caught in the growing narrative of “Team Reese vs. Team Clark” that’s dominated much of the discussion surrounding these two star rookies.
“At first, I felt like I had to pick sides,” O’Neal admitted. “I was all in for Angel because she’s my girl. But I kept watching Caitlin Clark, and she kept impressing me.”
Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, has been nothing short of sensational in her rookie season, and it became harder for even someone as competitive as O’Neal to overlook her contributions on the court. In the interview, Shaq talked about his internal struggle to remain loyal to Reese while trying to downplay Clark’s performance. But every time he watched Clark play, he found it harder to dislike her.
“She does everything right,” Shaq told *Sports Illustrated*. “I’m watching her and I’m trying to be upset, but she just makes the right pass, the right play. Girls try to beat her up on the court, and she doesn’t complain. She just keeps playing. She’s a great one, even early on in her career.”
The tipping point for O’Neal came during a game between the Fever and the Chicago Sky, where Clark dropped a career-high 31 points, leading her team to a commanding 100-81 victory. O’Neal was courtside, watching as Clark outplayed Reese, cementing her status as a rising star.
“She’s the real deal,” O’Neal finally conceded. “Much respect to her and her family, and the way she grew up. The way she plays, it’s something special.”
O’Neal didn’t stop there. He gave credit where it was due, noting that young girls should be watching both Clark and Reese play. “All little girls should watch all the WNBA players, but those two—Clark and Reese—are my favorites.”
Both players are embarking on record-breaking rookie seasons. Reese, selected seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has already broken the league’s single-season rebound record. Meanwhile, Clark, the top overall pick, has shattered the rookie record for total assists. She’s now just 30 assists away from breaking the WNBA’s single-season record, held by Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas.
Though O’Neal may have started his season firmly in Reese’s camp, he’s come to appreciate Clark’s talent as well. And while the narrative of Team Clark vs. Team Reese might continue to fuel headlines, O’Neal’s journey is a reminder that great players deserve admiration, no matter the team.
