Caitlin Clark is already the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball after bringing unprecedented attention to the WNBA in her rookie season.
That’s the verdict of WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman, who has even compared the Indiana Fever sensation’s fans to Swift’s legion of die-hard fans, the ‘Swifties.’
Clark has enjoyed an impressive debut season in the big leagues after being selected by Indiana with the first overall pick in this year’s draft.
In addition to breaking endless records on the court, the 22-year-old has also packed more seats than ever before in the WNBA, with several teams setting attendance records for games against the Fever and television ratings on the rise.
And Lieberman, who spent nearly 40 years in the women’s top flight as a player and coach, has drawn comparisons between Clark and pop megastar Swift.
WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark (left) has been described as the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball.
“It doesn’t matter who people like right now. It’s Caitlin Clark. She’s the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball right now,” the 66-year-old said on Sirius XM’s NBA radio station.
“Their fans are like ‘Swifties’, they are extraordinarily loyal. And in any stadium you go to, half the people there are their fans and they wear their shirts.
“He’s a superstar in the media, but damn… he shows it at every turn. His numbers are unbelievable, what he’s done, whether it’s the second triple-double or leading the league in assists.”
Lieberman has also been taken aback by the criticism of Caitlin in her rookie season, adding, “Everyone talks about Caitlin’s shooting, but she’s a great team player. When your teammates like you and care about you, you know you’re doing something right.”
“She was adored in Iowa, she’s loved here in Indiana. Why pick on her? Why do that? You just have to appreciate the greatness she brings to the game.”
Lieberman has recently been involved in a feud with Hall of Fame forward and point guard Sheryl Swoope over Clark, revealing that their friendship has come to an end due to a disagreement over the Fever rookie.
WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman is a huge fan of Clark and has frequently defended her position.
She believes the Indiana Fever sensation has a legion of fans similar to the ‘Swifties’
The former Detroit Shock head coach appeared on the Stephen A. Smith Show this week and spoke about Clark and Swoopes after commentating Indiana’s game against the Dallas Wings on Sunday.
According to Smith, Swoopes was fired from the game’s broadcast team due to her past controversy with Clark and was replaced by Lieberman.
Lieberman did not deny the change and went on to say that a phone call in which he tried to help Swoopes understand facts about Clark was what drove a wedge between them.
“Well, she got mad at me on the phone,” he told Smith. “And I was like, ‘Sheryl, I’m not doing anything to hurt you. I’m just sharing.’ So our relationship is pretty much not working right now.”
‘I tried to talk to her at the Final Four, but she didn’t want to talk to me.’