WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, known for her outstanding career and Hall of Fame status, has recently found herself in hot water, with fans accusing her of harboring an agenda against rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The backlash stems from Swoopes’ perceived criticism of Clark, which many now believe goes beyond simple analysis.
Swoopes has publicly stated that she does not “dislike” Clark, attempting to clear the air. Despite this, her comments on her podcast, Queens of the Court, have been pointed. In an August episode, Swoopes notably declined to give credit to Clark for the Indiana Fever’s improved performance, instead focusing her praise on teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, both of whom have been pivotal to the team’s success this season. While Swoopes’ opinions were likely intended to highlight other standout players, some fans interpreted her remarks as further evidence of bias against Clark.
Adding fuel to the fire, a tweet from Swoopes earlier this year has resurfaced, leading to renewed criticism. In April, Connecticut Sun guard-forward DiJonai Carrington predicted that Caitlin Clark might lead the league in assists. Alyssa Thomas, Carrington’s Sun teammate and the runner-up in assists per game for the 2023 season (averaging 7.9), responded humorously to the claim, saying, “Don’t play with me Nai 😂.”
Swoopes, noticing the lighthearted exchange, joined the conversation by tweeting “🤣🤣🤣.” While Swoopes was likely reacting to Thomas’ joke, fans have revisited this tweet, interpreting it as part of an ongoing pattern of dismissiveness toward Clark. Some see it as another instance where Swoopes has seemingly undermined Clark’s abilities, despite the rookie’s impressive debut season.
As social media often does, the conversation spiraled, with fans reacting harshly to the resurfaced tweet. One user simply commented “cooked,” implying that Swoopes was now under fire for her remarks.
cooked
— Swan (@AndySwan) September 10, 2024
Who's laughing now? 😂😂
— Conrad Hannon (@ConradHannon) September 10, 2024
A prime example of when you let your resentment and jealousy get in the way of rational thinking and intelligence.
— Dad is Not Home (@daddysnothome69) September 10, 2024
You still feeling this Ms Swoopes?
— 🟥 Donald Hensley (@The_realdonnie) September 10, 2024
Your wnba career overshadowed in one year hate to see it
— cursed bayle (@bhbhcarg) September 10, 2024
The backlash highlights the complicated nature of sports commentary, particularly when it involves iconic figures like Swoopes, whose opinions carry significant weight. While Swoopes’ comments may have been taken out of context or misunderstood, the situation underscores how quickly perceptions can shift in the fast-moving world of social media. Swoopes, who has been an influential voice in women’s basketball both on and off the court, now faces the challenge of navigating this controversy while balancing her honest critiques with the sensitivities of an ever-watchful fanbase.
Ultimately, while Swoopes has tried to clarify her stance on Caitlin Clark, the debate raises broader questions about how athletes, analysts, and fans engage in conversations around rising stars and established legends.
At this stage in the season, Caitlin Clark is indeed leading the WNBA in assists, having dished out 306 so far, with Alyssa Thomas following in second place with 270. Clark is also averaging a league-high 8.5 assists per game with four regular season games remaining.
Carrington’s bold prediction is close to becoming reality, and fans are using this to once again criticize Sheryl Swoopes for her previous remarks.
As Clark continues her journey in the WNBA, the tension between celebrating her accomplishments and acknowledging the contributions of her teammates and other players remains a contentious point.
