Caitlin Clark has doubled down on her comments about experiencing white privilege, despite being criticized in some corners for her comments.
The WNBA star addressed the issue in an interview with TIME, who named her Athlete of the Year for 2024 in response to her breakout year with Indiana Fever.
Clark, 22, said the WNBA is “built on” black players and that “white privilege exists.”
It prompted an angry response from Megyn Kelly, who said Clark apologized for being white, while Jason Whitlock turned on her in a wild meltdown, saying she had “woke up.”
But Clark, speaking in New York at the Year in Time event, did not regret her comments when asked about Kelly’s comments in a conversation with Maria Taylor.
“I’ve been a fan of this league since I was young,” Clark said. ‘My favorite player was Maya Moore. I know what this competition was about. And like I said, it’s only been about 25 years.
Caitlin Clark has no regrets about her controversial ‘white privilege’ comments this week
Clark was asked about Megyn Kelly’s criticism at a TIME event in New York this week
“So I know there have been so many great black women in this league. And I think continuing to elevate it is very important. That is something I am very aware of.
“I feel like I’ve always had a really good perspective on the things that have happened in my life – whether they’ve been good or bad.
“Coming to the WNBA, like I said, I feel like I’ve earned everything that’s happened to me over the course of my career.
“I just try to be real and authentic and share my truth. I feel like that’s very easy for me. I feel very comfortable in my own skin and have been that way all my life.’
Kelly had complained about Clark’s so-called “self-flagellation” in response to her TIME interview.
“She’s down on her knee and almost apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation,” Kelly wrote on social media.
“The “oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALLY the ones you want to celebrate.” Self-righteous. Fake. Transparent. Sad.’
Clark found herself at the center of a racing firestorm during her first season in the WNBA, amid accusations that she was the victim of jealousy and bullying.
Kelly was furious that 22-year-old Clark ‘almost apologized for being white’ in her interview
Jason Whitlock also turned on Clark in an angry meltdown on his YouTube channel
In one moment that grabbed attention across the country, the Fever star was pushed to the ground by Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter.
Meanwhile, some figures also claim that black players are not getting the recognition they deserve.
“It doesn’t matter how hard I work,” A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces said in May.
“No matter what we do as black women, we still get swept under the rug.”