WNBA icon Sheryl Swoopes has publicly shared private text messages with rising star Caitlin Clark, revealing that she apologized months earlier for making inaccurate comments about the young player’s college career. The move comes in response to mounting criticism from fans who accused Swoopes of being overly critical or dismissive of Clark, one of the brightest talents in women’s basketball today.
In February, during an appearance on the Gil’s Arena podcast, Swoopes incorrectly stated that Clark had stayed in college for five years and attempted more than 40 shots per game to break the NCAA all-time scoring record. In reality, Clark spent four years at the University of Iowa, averaging 22.7 shot attempts per game while shattering records to become the highest scorer in both men’s and women’s NCAA history. The remarks resurfaced recently, reigniting backlash against Swoopes, with many accusing her of downplaying Clark’s achievements. In response, Swoopes took to social media to share screenshots of texts sent to Clark on February 5, shortly after the initial controversy.
In the messages, Swoopes acknowledged her error and extended an apology: “Hey Caitlin! I wanted to personally reach out to you and say I made a mistake… COVID year has me all confused… I also have nothing but respect for you and your game,” Swoopes wrote. Clark responded graciously: “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 ball and for inspiring girls like me…” The conversation concluded on a positive note, with Swoopes encouraging Clark to “keep being great.”
While the exchange demonstrated mutual respect between the two players, it hasn’t entirely quelled fan discontent. Critics argue that Swoopes continues to underappreciate Clark’s contributions publicly. For instance, in August, during an episode of her podcast Queens of the Court , Swoopes highlighted Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull as key factors behind the Indiana Fever’s success—despite Clark leading the team in scoring and assists. Additionally, Swoopes faced scrutiny for praising Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields following a flagrant foul on Clark during a game. Many interpreted her post defending DeShields—without mentioning Clark—as sending mixed signals about her support for the young star.
Adding another layer to the story, Swoopes was notably absent from her broadcasting duties with the Dallas Wings during Sunday’s matchup against the Indiana Fever. Meanwhile, Clark delivered yet another historic performance, becoming the first player in NBA or WNBA history to record back-to-back games with 25+ points, 10+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers. Across those two contests, she scored 53 points, dished out 24 assists, and drained 10 triples—a testament to her extraordinary skill set.
Addressing the ongoing debate, Swoopes reiterated that her issue isn’t with Clark herself, stating: “Please know that I do not dislike or hate her. I like her game too. It’s all of the ugly fans that I don’t care for.” Whether this latest effort to clarify her stance will mend fences with skeptical fans remains uncertain. However, it’s clear that Clark is focused less on the drama and more on etching her name into the record books.
As the WNBA continues to evolve with fresh faces and electrifying talent, the dialogue surrounding legends like Swoopes and emerging stars like Clark highlights the passion—and occasional tension—that defines the sport’s growth. For now, Clark’s accomplishments speak louder than any off-court chatter, ensuring her legacy grows with each passing game.
