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Sep 22, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) warms up before game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
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Sep 22, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) warms up before game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
If you were to give a major reason for the WNBA’s surge in just one word, it wouldn’t be wrong to say: Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old Iowa native, in just her first year, has brought dynamic changes to the women’s league. The Rookie of the Year title didn’t evade her either — and with some style. A near-unanimous choice, she secured 66 out of 67 votes. But do you know what skill makes her stand out this season? Sheryl Swoopes has highlighted it for the spectators.
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During the October 8th episode of the podcast show ‘Queens of the Court’, Swoopes teamed up with Jordan Robinson to discuss the impact of this season’s rookie class. How could she not mention Caitlin Clark? “I just thought what Caitlin was able to do coming into the league this season… she was just crazy, just, you know, shooting the basketball,” said Swoopes.
For Sheryl Swoopes, it’s Clark’s passing ability that truly makes her stand out. “Her ability to put the ball where it needs to be when it needed to be there,” added Swoopes. The WNBA assists leader’s average of 8.4 dimes per game has indeed come to speak of the rookie’s skills alongside her rookie record-setting 122 3 Pointers. While her assist attempts did cost her more turnovers than expected, it also was a crucial factor in helping the Fever dominate post-Olympic break.
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“I just try to set my teammates up for success… Like my eyes are just always on our post-players,” Clark revealed in a post-game presser after she posted the single-game assist record with 19.
Looks like Swoopes stands corrected after her “she’s just a passer,” remark she made about Clark previously and the many instances that presented her never to be a big fan of the 2024 ROTY.
Sheryl Swoopes’ change of lens for ROTY
For Swoopes, Angel Reese, the “best rebounder in the league right now,” was more deserving of the Rookie of the Year title than Clark. Before Reese’s abrupt end to her rookie season, Swoopes cast her ROTY vote for the Chi-town Barbie, primarily because the Sky rookie led the league in rebounding with an impressive 13.1 rebounds per game.
In fact, Swoopes is often labeled a Caitlin Clark “hater” due to her controversial comments on the rookie. But it seems the tables have turned. The last time Swoopes made headlines was after her appearance on the Gil’s Arena podcast, where she emphasized that true dominance is about striking fear in opponents— and Clark had yet to reach that level.
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Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
“She’s been playing great, but still not dominating,” Swoopes said. Since Clark was already averaging an eye-catching 19.5 points with 5.7 rebounds per game, it was perceived as more of a negative comment. It wasn’t the first time Swoopes found herself on the radar for her remarks about Clark.
She was in a similar situation earlier when she commented on the Indiana Fever’s significant contributors but missed mentioning Clark, despite her remarkable scoring and impact. These incidents became a series of reasons for Swoopes being seen a vocal Clark critic. But now, it seems that perception is changing after Swoopes’ recent validation of Clark.
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Edited by
Shivatmika Manvi