• Cheryl Miller, the older sister of Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, is one of women’s basketball’s all-time greats.
• As a rookie, Caitlin Clark led the Indiana Fever to their first WNBA playoff berth in eight years, was Rookie of the Year and first-team All-WNBA.

Cheryl Miller has a message for the current and former women’s basketball stars who look for ways to criticize Caitlin Clark: “Come on, you big dummies!”

Miller, the older sister of Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller and one of women’s basketball’s all-time greats, appeared on the “All the Smoke” podcast with former Pacer Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes.

Cheryl Miller discussed what she believes is unwarranted criticism toward the Indiana Fever star who has been a major figure in the recent surge of attention and attendance in women’s basketball.

“Is she getting hyped? Yes. But she was in the backyard. She was putting in the same time, and sometimes maybe more than you were. I can’t fault her for what she was given,” Miller said, noting that some “folks are still waiting for her to fall.”

As a rookie, Clark led the Fever to their first WNBA playoff berth in eight years, was Rookie of the Year and first-team All-WNBA. She averaged 19.2 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

The WNBA will enter a new, much more lucrative media rights deal next year, and the players’ union has opted out of its labor contract after the 2025 season, setting the stage for a significant increase in player pay. Also, the new Unrivaled 3×3 league allows players to make money in the offseason without traveling overseas for a full season.

“You big dummies, you’re getting paid now,” Miller said. “Everybody now has an opportunity to pull up their chair and have a seat.

“I’m just glad that these young ladies who are at the upper, upper tier of players, I hope and pray that they have a solid foundation, and that they know, guys, who they are. Because you know how vicious it is out there.”