LeBron James had a message for Caitlin Clark’s critics on Sunday shortly before her Iowa team lost the NCAA championship game to South Carolina. “If you don’t rock with Caitlin Clark game you’re just a FLAT OUT HATER!!!!! Stay far away from them people!! PLEASE,” James wrote on X as the game started.
This message comes as many current and former players had raised fingers on Clark’s legacy leading up to the game.
Earlier this season, Clark surpassed Lynette Woodard’s milestone for career points in major women’s college basketball. However, a video surfaced featuring Woodard, a player from the late 1970s and early 1980s, expressing doubt about Clark’s achievement. Woodard’s era predates the introduction of three-point shots and utilized a larger basketball in the women’s game.
“I don’t think my record has been broken because you can’t duplicate what you’re not duplicating,” The Guardian quoted Woodard as saying. “Unless you come with a men’s basketball and a two-point shot, hey …”
Woodard praised Clark in February during an interview with ESPN. She said: “I think she’s an awesome player. I would love to meet her.”
Diana Taurasi, another former player, expressed concerns about Clark’s transition to the professional level. Despite this, Clark is highly anticipated to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.
“Reality is coming … you look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time,” the 10-time WNBA All-Star said on ESPN on Friday.
“Not saying it’s not going to translate. Because when you’re great at what you do you’re just going to get better, but there is going to be a transition period when you have to give some grace as a rookie. It may take a little bit longer for some people.”
Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion, stated earlier this month that Clark’s legacy as the greatest college player in history would only be solidified if she secured a national title.
“Yeah, she does [need a title]. I think so,” said the New York Liberty star. “You are going to look 10 years back and you are going to see all the records that she has broken, points and stuff like that, but anybody knows your goal when you play college basketball is to win a national championship. So you need one.”
Clark scored 30 points during Iowa’s loss to unbeaten South Carolina on Sunday.
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