Caitlin Clark has emerged as the star of the WNBA© Getty Images
Veteran sports commentator Skip Bayless launched into a passionate monologue, shifting from his admiration for 2025 NBA slam-dunk champion Mac McClung to praising white athletes in general, including Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean.
On his own “Skip Bayless Show,” the 73 year old expressed: “Just as I’ve always acknowledged the dominance of the Black athlete, I think now it’s time to give some credit to some white athletes who are just shattering the mold.”
He began with McClung, asserting that the “little white guy….isn’t getting nearly the respect he deserves.” The Orlando Magic G-League player has bagged three consecutive Dunk Contest titles. “Mac McClung can skywalk. He can power slam. He has Jordanesque hang time,” Bayless elaborated.
Bayless, who rose to prominence alongside Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ before transitioning to FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ in 2016 with Shannon Sharpe, also brought up Clark during his discourse.
“I just never thought I’d see the day that a Caitlin Clark would become the hottest thing in women’s pro basketball,” he remarked. Clark, the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, set the league on fire, almost clinching its Rookie of the Year award unanimously.
“I never thought I’d see another Sunday that a white guy would start at cornerback in the National Football League, let alone star at cornerback,” Bayless continued. “Cooper DeJean has big-time athletic ability. He has real quickness, real speed, real strength.
“You wonder if Cooper DeJean was ever socialized by parents or coaches to believe, ‘White kids don’t ever play that position.”
Cooper DeJean also received praise© Getty Images
DeJean, who was snapped up by the Eagles in the second round of the 2024 draft, saw his star rise after intercepting a pass from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returning it for a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX. He ended up fourth in the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Bayless defended his remarks by positioning himself as a prominent advocate for activism. “I don’t know any white commentator who’s been more outspoken about racial and social justice than I’ve been over the last 20-odd years,” he stated.
“I have constantly pointed out that Black players in football and especially in basketball have consistently proven to be for the last 50-odd years, generally better than white players.”
