The WNBA has recorded 93% more sales this season than they did last season. All thanks to the NCAA athletes who were drafted this year and have brought on their fans from the college basketball league. Three such players who have wreaked havoc with their popularity are Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink. Unfortunately, when it comes to on-court performers, the three are trying their best to adjust to the WNBA, but their struggle continues. And recently, the NBA legend Magic Johnson shared some insight on the trio.
Johnson was present during the Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday when he was asked a flurry of questions. One such query that caught the attention was when the 64-year-old could not hold back in dropping his take for the rookies.
Magic Johnson gets blunt about Cameron Brink, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
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Johnson was asked his opinion on the three rookies – Brink, Reese, and Clark. Johnson couldn’t help but share that Clark wasn’t the best player at the moment and the trio would be tested by the veterans. “Caitlin, Angel, and Brink who plays for my Sparks… They made the WNBA better and um, they’re going to be tested by these incredible women who been in the league for a long time,” Johnson stated, via Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“Caitlin is the most popular WNBA player but she’s not the best at this time just like Larry and I were not the best when we entered the league. We became the best later on by our play. Caitlin still has to play great to become the best WNBA player,” Johnson remarked for Clark.
One of the biggest surprises in his answer was that he wasn’t biased toward Cameron Brink. Brink plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, a team that is controlled by Johnson. She was drafted as the second overall in this year’s WNBA draft. Johnson along with the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers had bought Sparks in 2014. Johnson’s other partners include Stan Kasten, Todd Boehly, Bobby Patton, and Eric Holoman. Though Johnson acknowledged the rookie’s impact, he also spoke candidly about their weaknesses.
Brink has performed averagely in this season. She averages 8 points per game with 5.4 rebounds per match and 2.1 assists per contest which is too far from how she performed in the NCAA. Similarly, the double-doubles queen Angel Reese averages 11.4 points per game with 9.2 rebounds per contest. On the other hand, Clark has suffered a mighty blow as she is always on the radar of her opponents. She averages 15.6 points per match with 5.1 rebounds per contest with 6.4 assists per game. But there is no denying that the rookies have uplifted the WNBA as the league recorded an almost 93% increase in its sales. And it’s not only Johnson who echoed the “not the best” sentiment for Clark.
Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson share the same insight for Caitlin Clark
Charles Barkley had previously asked the WNBA players to not be jealous of Clark. He then came forward to justify his stand and gave a harsh take. As per him, Clark is “not the best player in the WNBA,” but she is helping in making women’s sports popular in the country. “But the eyes and attention she’s bought to the game, give that lady her flowers,” Barkley had then expounded.
For the record, the Indiana Fever is recording sell-out stadiums something they couldn’t last year. On top of that, even teams playing against the Fever are benefitting and one such example is the New York Liberty which earned a record revenue of $2 million in ticket sales. Looks like Clark is the athlete of the hour.
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Now that Johnson himself has spoken about Brink, the Sparks rookie will take it in good strides and improve her game. Similarly, Clark too would be going for WNBA glory something she tried her best for in the NCAA.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.
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