Caitlin Clark compared to legend as WNBA rookie reaches ‘greatness’

Caitlin Clark is having a huge impact on the WNBA, prompting ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith to make some bold statements about the Indiana Fever superstar.

Smith was effusive in his praise for Clark, comparing her to Muhammad “the Greatest” Ali, claiming, “the reason why in the public eye Ali was the greatest was because of the adversity.” Ali was hounded by the FBI and stripped of his world title for conscientiously objecting from the Vietnam War.

Smith was quick to ensure no one thought he was making a like for like comparison between Ali and Clark, simply that, “It’s not to compare one to the other, because I’m not trying to do that. I’m simply pointing out that whatever goes on outside the court, the field, the ring of play per se, matters because your mental becomes incredibly important.”

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Smith continued to praise Clark by saying, “In society in this day and age, we’ve paid more attention to the mental than ever before - Naomi Osaka and various others having to deal with what they had and in some cases succumbing to their stuff. This girl (Caitlin Clark) didn’t do that. She elevated. She seemed to thrive.”

Since arriving in the WNBA, Clark has seemingly been the focus of opponents’ spite, dealing with what has at times, looked like targeted physicality. Despite that, she has been able to perform at a high enough level to guide her team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Clark’s impact on the sport of women’s basketball is already palpable in her nascent career, with the former Iowa Hawkeye helping the league to gain a TV audience 170% larger than 2023, per Sportico.

Despite her talent, on-court performances and the positive impact she has had on the sport, some in the media, namely Sheryl Swoopes, have decided to criticize and attack Clark, leading to an even larger spotlight on the rookie.

Smith, speaking on ESPN, suggested that Clark has, “looked absolutely marvelous regardless of whatever noise has been out there,” in what has been some of the most effusive public praise of Clark since her debut.

Doubling down on his opinion, Smith even went so far as to say, “when you show that you're able to perform in the face of adversity to me, that is the true testament to greatness.”

Clark finished her WNBA playoff debut with 11 points, eight assists, and four rebounds per Basketball Reference as the Fever went down 93-69 against the Sun. Clark now has a chance to rebound and prove to Smith, Swoopes, and the rest of the basketball world that she is truly great and here to stay!

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!