Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark instantly became the face of the WNBA after she was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick. However, she’s not just drawing the biggest crowds the league has ever seen and causing viewership to skyrocket. Clark is also breaking records in nearly every game.
While Clark was overlooked for a spot on the Olympic roster, the much-needed break allowed the 22-year-old to come back stronger than ever. During the Fever’s 95-72 win over the Seattle Storm, Clark smashed the WNBA’s rookie season record for assists.
With the game in the bag, Clark gestured toward the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to pick up the noise, during which Storm’s Skylar Diggins-Smith, 34, sped up to bump the rookie. Former ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III posted a clip on the viral moment and sent a strong message to the women of the WNBA.
“It’s VERY CLEAR WNBA players are tired of Caitlin Clark getting all the shine and being the vocal point of every discussion,” RG3 posted. “It’s beyond competitiveness and physical play. They don’t even want to answer questions about her. If they don’t like it, THEN STOP HER.”
One person replied, “You always solid ppls always RGIII, but you got to stop with this ‘WNBA players are jealous’ of Caitlin Clark. Skylar Diggins, who stopped her literally 3 out of 4 times this season, didn’t like that she was celebrating in their face in front of her bench.”
Griffin wrote back, “Never said the J word. The examples of them being tired of the narratives being driven by her are clear and numerous.”
ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe also sounded off on Skylar-Diggins’ push during an appearance on Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s “Night Cap podcast the night before.
“Ya’ll see her speed up… Caitlin Clark is getting the crowd going and y’all see Skylar Diggins speed up to make contact with her. Stop this!” Sharpe said.
“Y’all mad because that corn fed Iowa girl [is] busting your ass. Y’all said she’s too weak. ‘She can’t do this.’ She’s leading the WNBA in assists. She’s cooking. Let her cook! Let her cook!”
