Sheryl Swoopes walks back controversial Caitlin Clark comments: ‘I made a mistake’

Basketball luminary Sheryl Swoopes has publicly acknowledged an error in her previous comments regarding collegiate basketball sensation Caitlin Clark and her remarkable season. Addressing the issue during the broadcast of the February 18 game between Baylor and her alma mater, Texas Tech, Swoopes revealed her outreach to Clark via LSU star Angel Reese, following their spat during last year's NCAA women's final.

Swoopes, 52, admitted her misstep in stating that Clark was in her fifth year at the University of Iowa, when in fact, it was her fourth. Expressing respect for Clark's contributions to the sport, Swoopes refrained from divulging the specifics of their conversation but emphasized its positive nature.

The controversy stemmed from Swoopes' earlier remarks on the "Gil's Arena" YouTube show in January, where she questioned the legitimacy of Clark's record-breaking achievements, citing the impact of a COVID-19-related rule allowing an additional year of eligibility. Despite the discrepancy in her statements, Swoopes commended Clark's prowess on the court but noted her disagreement with the circumstances surrounding certain records.

Swoopes, a celebrated figure in the WNBA, with a legacy marked by numerous accolades including three MVP awards and four championship titles with the Houston Comets, also shared insights on Clark's potential in the professional league. While acknowledging Clark's talent, she underscored the challenges of transitioning to the WNBA.

In response to Swoopes' remarks, some fans in Iowa City expressed their disapproval by donning T-shirts bearing the slogan "Don't be a Sheryl." However, Swoopes found support from NBA stars like A'ja Wilson, even as she addressed the backlash on social media, reiterating her well-wishes for both Clark and Reese.

Swoopes' candid acknowledgment of her mistake highlights the complexity of assessing achievements in collegiate athletics, while her enduring impact on the sport underscores the significance of her perspective on emerging talents like Clark and Reese.

[WillyPDX]

This is not admitting a mistake because you're sorry. This is about Ms Swoopes trying to do damage control after exposing the depth of her enmity for a young basketball player who is single-handedly raising the profile of women's basketball to the benefit of all women players regardless of their race, color, or creed. Contrary to what some people appear to believe, blacks did not invent the sport and it is not cultural appropriation for a white girl to dominate women's collegiate basketball. Caitlin earned all her accolades and she deserves mad respect, not petty criticism. I wish Ms Swoopes would be honest about her motives, but given her loose affiliation with the truth, I won't hold my breath waiting for her to honestly explain why she hates Caitlin so much.

[ShoshonnaLacy]

Swoopes' racist mentality "clouded" her mind as she was saying those negatives about Clark!

[vitaminbp]

It's a great reminder of, if someone is going to downplay someone else's achievements, have your facts correct before doing so, so you don't have to "walk" anything back. Or just don't be a jerk to begin with, maybe try that, and acknowledge someone else's achievements. I really do not get the level of friction the WNBA players are showing for someone who is elevating their sport significantly. It's completely petty, not a good look for the sport they claim the want to have a larger presence, and complain about the lower salaries, well these professional sports are businesses first, it's amazing they don't seem to understand that, has nothing to do with gender, it has everything to do with if the viewership isn't there, then neither is the money, so when a player comes along that is bringing thousands of new viewers, BE HAPPY about that, seriously.

[danfernandezdec]

Good for Swoops, no need to bring negativity to the league- she is good for the league and might help women start making some real money. Whites will never be as good a AAs but diversity is good in helping stop racism. The more we spend time together the more we realize that we are all the same