Fan-favorite broadcaster Charles Barkley is a big supporter of rising WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
Clark’s Rising Stardom:
The Indiana Fever rookie has become one of the league’s top players and is quickly becoming the face of the WNBA. But with her growing fame, which began when she played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, comes criticism and scrutiny. Barkley believes this backlash is due to jealousy from others in the media and fellow players.
Barkley’s Strong Words:
In a recent interview on
, Barkley didn’t hold back his thoughts on how people are treating Clark. He said, "These ladies, and I’m a WNBA fan, they could not have fed this Caitlin Clark thing up any worse if they tried. People believe what we say on television. Just because people don’t like you or your personality, they can’t get on TV and slander you. It’s just total bulls."
Barkley continued to praise Clark for bringing so much attention to both college basketball and the pros. He expressed confusion over why thereโs so much negativity towards her: "This girl is incredible… You say to yourself, ‘damn, what is going on here?’"
Clark’s Silence Amid Criticism:
Barkley also admired Clark for staying silent amid all the negativity throughout her career: "And the thing I love about her, she never says a word… There’s been so much negativity and a lot of it is just petty jealousness."
Impact on WNBA Popularity:
Barkley’s comments highlight how confusing it is that someone who has brought so much interest to the WNBA faces such backlash. According to ESPN, Clarkโs presence has led to sellout crowds across arenas this season.
Fans think it’s unfair how she’s treated.
Clark was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and has had an impressive rookie season with averages of 18.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. She recently recorded her second triple-double in a win against the Los Angeles Sparks, helping secure a playoff spot for her team.
Her future looks incredibly bright as she continues to make waves in professional basketball
