Caitlin Clark doesn’t hold back with LeBron James admission amid Lakers star’s excused absence
Clark was named Time‘s Athlete of the Year
Lapresse
The professional basketball community is not as big as people may think. There are 30 NBA teams and 13 WNBA teams, accounting for some 600 players, all of whom forge a bond — whether they acknowledge it or not — over one of the most popular sports in the United States.
Respect is earned, and not given easily, from one star player to another — once talent recognizes talent. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has offered his full-throated support to the WNBA over the past couple of seasons as the league has seen exponential growth, timed to match Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark‘s decision to go pro in 2024.
Clark and James’ shared accomplishment
Clark was recently named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024 after she guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA national championship game before becoming the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year. She is the second basketball player to receive the Time accolade, doing so four years after James in 2020.
Clark has noticed James’ support for the W and for her in particular, after she led the Fever back to the playoffs after an eight-year drought. In a sitdown interview with time, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer had some strong words for the NBA’s all-time leader in points, making it clear there is shared admiration between the two generations of stars.
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“He’s the greatest basketball player of all time so I think that’s pretty cool,” Clark said of James’ support, typified by an April tweet about “haters” dismissing Clark’s style of basketball.
James is not going through his best moment at present; the 39-year-old is averaging his fewest points per game since his rookie season, and he is away from team activities on an “excused absence” from the Lakers. But whenever he returns to play, LeBron will have Caitlin in his corner at the dusk of his career — and while Clark’s journey is only beginning.
Caitlin Clark faces backlash over comments on race, privilege, and success in the WNBA
Clark’s honest admission of privilege divides WNBA
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has sparked intense discussions with her recent statements, showcasing a level of self-awareness that has left fans divided. Known for her incredible talent on the court and her impact on women’s basketball, Clark’s comments about privilege and race have added a new dimension to her public persona.
Throughout her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, Clark faced cultural debates, with some attributing her immense popularity and financial success not only to her skill but also to her race. Players like Angel Reese and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson weighed in on the matter, with Wilson stating that Clark being White played a “huge thing” in her widespread recognition. Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington even criticized Clark for not addressing racism more openly in the past.
