“Still Not Convinced?” Sheryl Swoopes Doubles Down on Doubts About Caitlin Clark’s Rise to Stardom

Caitlin Clark‘s meteoric rise reached new heights as she was named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, making her the first WNBA player to receive the prestigious honor. The Indiana Fever rookie had a historic 2024 campaign, capturing attention both on and off the court.

Her dominance during her final season at Iowa and her standout rookie year in the WNBA earned her the Rookie of the Year award and made her one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball.

Caitlin Clark’s nasty crossovers and superb shooting are some of the reasons why she was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year

Clark‘s rise has been nothing short of transformative. Her record-breaking performances drew massive crowds and TV viewership, inspiring even non-basketball fans to tune in. Her impact on the game is undeniable, and she remains a driving force behind the growing popularity of women’s basketball. But not everyone has been quick to fully embrace her success.

Sheryl Swoopes questions TIME’s criteria for Athlete of the Year

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes addressed Clark‘s achievement on the No Chill podcast with Gilbert Arenas. While she acknowledged that Clark‘s award was “pretty special,” she questioned the criteria for selecting TIME’s Athlete of the Year.

“I don’t think I’m surprised,” Swoopes said. “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 that she had on the game this season?”

Her remarks sparked backlash, with many accusing Swoopes of diminishing Clark’s accomplishments. Critics pointed to Swoopes‘ history of comments about Clark, particularly a statement she made earlier this year, suggesting that Clark broke the NCAA all-time scoring record because she played five seasons and took 40 shots per game. In reality, Clark played only four seasons at Iowa and averaged 20.1 shots per game.