Caitlin Clark and Sheryl Swoopes Drama Explained: Exploring the Real Reason for Their Beef

LeBron James, Charles Barkley, Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo. What do these eminent names have in common apart from their illustrious basketball career? Well, the simple fact is that all of them have been captivated by what Caitlin Clark produces on the hardwood. However, this elite list has eluded one legendary name who recently through her comments is facing a lot of flak from Clark’s supporters. But how did the strained ties occur between these two greats of the game?

Who doesn’t remember the 2023 national championship game between Iowa and LSU? Despite Caitlin Clark and Co. falling short in that game, there was another major development that gripped the American Airlines Center that day. Seemingly, in 1993,  4× WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes scored 177 points over the course of 5 games while leading the Texas Tech Lady Raiders to an NCAA title. Caitlin Clark entered the game with 161 points in the bag and surpassed the tally by delivering a 30-point performance. In addition to this, her 191 points were also enough to cross the 6-point 184-point mark set by Glen Rice in 1989.

Soon after, talking to Jordan Robinson, Sheryl Swoopes weighed in on Clark’s accomplishment. She went on and said, “I set the record in 5 games. I didn’t get that 6th game. To me, yes, she broke the record. But she did it in 6 games”. Perhaps, this was the tipping point of the alleged hostility between the two of them. Since then, several shots have been fired by Swoopes, regardless of the 6-foot-guard breaking Kelsey Plum’s NCAA Division I career scoring record or her ability to adapt in the WNBA.

The extent of such comments has infuriated the fans to the extent that they are publicly expressing their annoyance. As it turns out, they started going to Clark’s games wearing a “Don’t Be A Sheryl” tee. While these statements do make some feel that she’s holding a grudge against the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, there have been occasions when she acknowledged the 6-foot-guard.

Sheryl Swoopes praising Caitlin Clark

“Anybody that can put up back-to-back 40-point games, that’s a baller”. Well, for Caitlin Clark enthusiasts, it will be hard to believe that these are Sheryl Swoopes’ other take on her. And what’s interesting is that these comments are made in the same podcast that started it all. But, these aren’t the only ones.

She didn’t take much time in reaching out to Clark after miscalculating the number of seasons while reflecting on Caitlin Clark scoring the 3,528th point against Michigan to break Plum’s record. Using Angel Reese as her medium, she explained, “A couple of weeks ago, I reached out to (LSU’s Angel Reese) and had a really good conversation with Angel over the phone and sent a message to Caitlin. She responded. She and I went back and forth”. 

Well, it’s not easy to try to jump to conclusions in this regard. Clark’s supporters believe that Sheryl Swoopes’ behavior reeks of jealousy as Clark was able to do what no women athlete did in the last 30 years. Whether it’s true or not, only time will tell.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us in the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.