Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, but failed to mention Caitlin Clark’s efforts in the episode.
Smith took issue with Swoopes failing to mention the rookie guard’s historic efforts for Indiana this season and called out the three-time WNBA MVP.
Veteran ESPN analyst claims Sheryl Swoopes’ personal bias against Caitlin Clark led to commentary exit
“You know basketball,” Smith said to Swoopes on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “There is no way in hell you just accidentally left Caitlin Clark’s name out of that soliloquy you dropped about the Indiana Fever.”
Cheryl Swoopes was quick to respond, taking to X to offer her rebuttal to Smith.
She then took a jab at Stephen A. Smith, calling him a “coward.”
Monday afternoon, Smith addressed Swoopes’ response on a separate episode of his podcast, calling her out once more.
“Sheryl Swoopes engages in levels of immaturity, there’s no way to slice it,” Smith said. … “All I’m going to say is, it was pretty damn immature to come back at me like that,” Smith concluded, taking issue with Swoopes’ aforementioned response to him on X.
Swoopes went on to reveal she has no issue with Caitlin Clark, leaking texts between her and the Fever star on Sunday.
Sheryl Swoopes leaks texts with Caitlin Clark following criticism
On Sunday evening, Swoopes took to X to post a quote regarding the hate and backlash she was receiving for her lack of coverage of Caitlin Clark.
“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise,” the quote read.
In the same thread, Swoopes went on to release texts between her and Caitlin Clark dating back to February in an attempt to clear the air of the criticism she was facing.
The texts were in regards to Swoopes mistaking the length of Clark’s collegiate career and show Clark thanking Swoopes for reaching out and all she has done for women’s basketball.
“No worries at all I really appreciate you reaching out and there’s no hard feelings. I appreciate all you have done for women’s bball and for inspiring girls like me and building the foundation and platform we have today,” Clark’s alleged response reads.
The Fever rookie has not commented on Sheryl Swoopes’ remarks on her podcast or confirmed the validity of these leaked text messages.