WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark recently learned that Shaquille O’Neal was initially not a supporter of hers, favoring Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese instead.
O’Neal, known for his legendary NBA career with teams like the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics, has a storied legacy that includes four NBA championships, three Finals MVP awards, and 15 All-Star selections. His number 34 jersey was retired by the Lakers, while both the Heat and Orlando Magic honored his number 32. Despite Clark’s impressive debut season in the WNBA, where she set multiple records and earned the Rookie of the Year title, O’Neal admitted that he was not initially impressed by her play.
During an appearance on the *Unapologetically Angel* podcast, hosted by Clark’s long-time rival Angel Reese, O’Neal shared, “I was a hater because I’m down with you. I thought she wouldn’t make that shot, but then she did. If I say ten times you’re going to make the shot and you actually do, then you’re the real deal.”
O’Neal also drew a parallel between Clark and NBA superstar Steph Curry, famous for his remarkable three-point shooting ability despite his smaller stature. He stated, “I love Steph Curry because I’ve never seen anyone do what he does consistently. If you saw him on the street, he doesn’t have LeBron’s muscles or height; he looks like an average guy doing things that are extraordinary. Clark is doing things we haven’t seen before, consistently. Many players in the WNBA have shown flashes, but none like her.”
Clark had a remarkable rookie year with the Indiana Fever after being selected first overall in the WNBA draft. The 22-year-old broke several records during her debut season, leading the Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years. She set a new record for assists in a single season, became the fastest woman to reach 100 three-pointers, and broke the record for the most three-pointers in a season with 122. Additionally, Clark recorded a staggering 337 assists, earning 66 of the 67 votes for Rookie of the Year, with Reese receiving the lone remaining vote.
