Clark and Angel Reese are vying for this year’s WNBA Rookie of the Year

ESPN anchor Elle Duncan has apologized to former WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes for calling her out on her podcast.

Duncan, 41, claimed six-time All-Star Swoopes had been spreading “hate” against WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark.

ESPN star Elle Duncan has apologized to ex-WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes
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ESPN star Elle Duncan has apologized to ex-WNBA champion Sheryl SwoopesCredit: Getty

Swoopes was accused by Duncan of hating on WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark
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Swoopes was accused by Duncan of hating on WNBA rookie Caitlin ClarkCredit: Getty

But Duncan admitted she had not listened to Swoopes' full podcast on the matter
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But Duncan admitted she had not listened to Swoopes’ full podcast on the matterCredit: ESPN
Swoopes discussed the WNBA Rookie of the Year race between Clark and Angel Reese on her own Queens of the Court podcast last week.

The three-time MVP chose Chicago Sky’s Reese as her pick to win the gong.

“I love her, but she’s wrong here,” Duncan said of Swoopes’ take, per The Daily Mail.

“She had some thoughts. She’s had some thoughts previously about Caitlin.

“This just doesn’t feel right at all and it is starting to feel a little bit like hate from Sheryl, who just in this particular space, stop.”

Duncan also claimed Swoopes had said, “[Fever forward] Katie Lou Samuelson’s really more integral in terms of two-way ability than Caitlin [Clark]” to the Fever.

Duncan took to social media on Friday, a day after the podcast was released, to admit she hadn’t listened to the full show Swoopes recorded with freelance writer Jordan Robinson.

“I did the thing you aren’t supposed to do,” Duncan wrote in a statement on X.

“I reacted to Sherly Swoopes comments about Caitlin Clark based on quotes pulled for me by producers in the rundown.

“I should have LISTENED to the show.”

Angel Reese targeting Olympic partnership with Caitlin Clark as WNBA rookies reflect on record-breaking All-Star Game
Duncan claimed she “rushed” the segment and it “was not [the] producer’s fault.”

“The same thing I IMPLORED CC fans to do when they were attacking me a couple of months back 4 ”hating” on her,” she continued.

“I HATE that I’ve sent more vitriol in her direction and I’m talking this BIG L!

“I’ve texted Sherly the same thing. I will do better! I am sorry.”

‘A little more motivation’

Caitlin Clark insists her Paris 2024 snub has made her even more hungry and determined to realize her Olympic dream.

The WNBA rookie sensation was left off the roster for this summer’s Olympics in a shock to many.

Clark will not be in Paris this summer, but she’s keeping her head up

“I think it just gives you something to work for,” Clark said.

“It’s a dream, hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation.

“You remember that. Hopefully, when four years comes back, I can be there. I’m excited for the girls that are on the team.

“I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way of me being on the team or me not being on the team.

“I’m excited for them and I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold.”

 

Swoopes was “complimentary of Clark on several occasions” during the podcast, per the New York Post.

“Caitlin, her passing, her assists – insane,” the ex-WNBA star said.

“Her ability to see the floor and get the ball where it needs to be is beautiful.”

Robinson also took to social media to defend her co-host.

“There’s a lot of weirdness going on with our latest episode of Queens of the Court. Let’s provide some context, shall we?” Robinson wrote on X.

“You’ll never find @airswoopes22 saying that Katie Lou is a more valuable player than Caitlin Clark. Why would she say that? BFFR.

“You’ll hear both of us state our OPINIONS about our [Rookie of the Year] cases and the overall rosters for the Fever and the Sky. We also agree a lot.”

Clark (pictured) is enjoying a strong rookie season in the WNBA
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Clark (pictured) is enjoying a strong rookie season in the WNBA