Caitlin Clark didn't 'dominate' despite winning Rookie of the Year according to one WNBA legend

In the spotlight

Caitlin Clark's rookie season drew more eyeballs than ever to the WNBA, and specifically to the former Iowa Hawkeye's own play. Many saw Clark's development over the season as nothing but positive, for others, they had almost nothing but criticism.

Clark takes the award

The Indiana Fever star brought home 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year honors after her landmark first season in the league.

Harsh critic

Despite this accomplishment, three-time WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes has claimed rookie sensation Caitlin Clark hasn't been “dominating,” the WNBA in her first year.

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

Good, not great

Swoopes was speaking on Gilbert Arenas' podcast Gil's Arena, suggesting that while Clark had been performing well, she was so far not an elite player, saying, “Those are hell of numbers but, to me, that's not dominating.”

Seeing some improvement

Swoopes did note, “I still don't think she's dominating, but she's a different player than she was in the first half of the season,” suggesting her stance on Clark could be softening.

Not a fan

Swoopes have been outspoken against Clark in the past, suggesting she and fellow rookie phenom Angel Reese would struggle to translate their college success into the WNBA.

“It’s not going to happen”

Swoopes was firm in her claim that Clark wouldn't be an immediate success in the WNBA, saying, “Will Caitlin Clark be a good pro? Absolutely. Will Caitlin Clark come into the WNBA and do what she is doing right now immediately? Absolutely not. “It's not going to happen.”

Instant impact

Clark has certainly made an impact in her first season in the WNBA, leading her Indiana Fever team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and being named to the All-Star Game.

Fans clapping back

WNBA and Caitlin Clark fans have clapped back against Swoopes' criticisms, with one writing, “Swoopes should not be given air time, her value is zero and it just keeps emboldening her with a pay check,” per The Mirror.

“Needs to shut up”

Another fan wrote, “At this point, she [Swoopes] needs to shut up. “She's already proven that she's not a fan.”

Stephen A. Smith weighing in

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith also piled on against Swoopes, saying, “Do you have any idea how that serves to stain any kind of criticism of Caitlin Clark? Because it gives fodder to those who believe she's being hated and ostracized to some degree.”

Dominate the playoffs?

Clark and the Fever fell in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Connecticut Sun.

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