Caitlin Clark has been at the forefront of shooting the WNBA into unprecedented popularity. And popular radio host Charlamagne tha God said he believes the reason the Indiana Fever star has become incredibly popular is primarily because she’s white.

Charlamagne tha God gave his remarks during an interview with late night host Bill Maher, as Charlamagne compared Clark’s booming celebrity status to that of Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson.

Wilson was just as dominant as Clark during her college career. Wilson was so influential for South Carolina, Colonial Life Arena in Columbia has erected a statue outside its doors in her honor.

Clark should have a statue of her own built in Iowa City one day, but it only states how transcendent Wilson was, especially playing for Dawn Staley amid the dominance of the Gamecocks over the last several years.

Wilson has continued to be one of basketball’s best as a two-time WNBA MVP. She did not receive an eighth of the attention Clark has. Maher and Charlamagne questioned if had to with Clark’s race.

 

Clark has helped the WNBA reach unprecedented popularity since joining the Indiana Fever

Charlamagne tha God believes Clark is popular primarily because she is white

‘A’ja Wilson was the biggest thing when she came out of South Carolina … and she didn’t get all of that,’ Charlamagne said.

‘So what do you attribute that to? I mean, you’re saying that’s racism?’ Maher questione

‘No, I’m not saying it’s racist. I’m just saying that I think A’ja Wilson has a point, and I think sometimes when, you know, black women say certain things, we should listen, especially her because I’m not in her shoes,’ Charlamagne responded.

‘But why was Serena Williams such a big star? Because people like that. They didn’t not watch her because she was black, right?’ Maher added.

Williams was tennis’ biggest star and best player for more than a decade, who was black in a white-dominated sport.

The inverse is true for Clark, with a majority of the WNBA being black women.

Williams herself recently commented to TIME on Clark’s rise to fame, seemingly agreeing with Maher.

‘If people are negative it’s because they can’t do what you do,’ Williams said.