Cheryl Swoops, a WNBA legend, has created controversy around Caitlyn Clark, the Indiana Fever’s standout rookie in her first WNBA season. While Caitlyn has garnered attention for her outstanding performances and has become one of the league’s brightest stars, Swoops and some journalists have attempted to diminish her value and talent, typically stating that Caitlyn does not deserve the accolades she has received, and that she is not the best rookie.
In an interview on the Gills Arena podcast, Swoops made headlines when she claimed that many of the Indiana Fever’s players did not want to play with Caitlyn. She revealed that some of the team’s key players walked out because they did not want to stay, implying that Caitlyn’s presence may have created an uncomfortable atmosphere in the locker room. However, when asked specifically about the identities of these players, Swoops did not provide any names, suggesting that her allegations were just baseless rumors.
Kelly Cross, the Indiana Fever’s president of basketball operations, spoke out to refute Swoops’ allegations, while also making her look foolish for talking about issues without any concrete evidence. Cross emphasized that any smart player would want to play with Caitlyn, who has proven to be an excellent passer and playmaker. She also pointed out that Caitlyn has not only improved her own game, but has also improved the performance of teammates like Aaliyah Boston, who had the best season of her career and was selected to the All-Star team.
During her first season, Caitlyn set a number of incredible records, including becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 20 points and 10 assists in the same game, as well as breaking the Indiana Fever’s assists record in a quarter and a game. Caitlyn didn’t stop there; she also set the assist record in a game with 19, becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record 321 assists in a season, surpassing Alyssa Thomas’ record.
Cheryl Swoops has not only made misleading comments about Caitlyn, but has also been criticized for other inaccurate statements. She once said Caitlyn was 25 when she played in college, when she was actually 22. Swoops also speculated that Caitlyn wouldn’t have as many opportunities to shoot as she did in college when she entered the WNBA, but Caitlyn averaged just 22.3 shots per game – a number lower than Swoops did throughout her college career.
Some players, like Nelissa Smith, may feel underutilized in Caitlyn’s system, but that doesn’t justify Swoops’ attack on Caitlyn. Caitlyn helped the Indiana Fever improve their record by winning the entire previous season in just half a season, setting multiple personal and team records, cementing her place in WNBA history.
In addition to Kelly Cross, other celebrities, like LeBron James, have spoken out in support of Caitlyn, saying that she has an outstanding vision and spirit that attracts other players to play with her. Caitlyn has not only improved her team but has also brought great attention to the WNBA, proving that she is one of the outstanding players that everyone wants to play with, with a bright future ahead of her.
With her outstanding playing ability, Caitlyn Clark has proven that she is one of the most remarkable talents in the WNBA and is on her way to setting new records and asserting her position in the women’s basketball world.
