The Sheryl Swoopes and Caitlin Clark discourse is escalating quickly, and the conversation is now reaching new depths.
Swoopes made headlines for recent comments on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese transitioning to the WNBA and Clark’s quest to break Kelsey Plum’s scoring record. Since that moment, the internet has been in shambles, and conversations in numerous hoops circles reached clothing, including “Don’t be a Sheryl” shirts.
The supposed beef has created additional tension among basketball fans, prompting the question: How did we get here?
Here’s everything we know about the swirling chaos surrounding Caitlin Clark and Sheryl Swoopes:
In April 2023, Clark broke Sheryl Swoopes' NCAA single tournament scoring record
On April 2, 2023, Caitlin Clark set the NCAA single tournament record with 191 points, bypassing Sheryl Swoopes, who held the record since 1993, with 177 points.
After her historic day, Swoopes was asked what she thought of Clark breaking the record. Swoopes mentioned that she did it in fewer games, but acknowledged that Clark was a baller.
Sheryl Swoopes on her 30-year NCAA tournament scoring record being broken by Caitlin Clark 😂 pic.twitter.com/dJ2X31H4KF
— Jordan Robinson (@HeyJordanR) April 5, 2023
“Anybody that can put up back-to-back 40-point games, that’s a baller.”
Sheryl Swoopes gives her take on Caitlin Clark breaking her NCAA tournament scoring record while also giving her her flowers 💐
(via: @_jordanligons) pic.twitter.com/KdwHohH7mc
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 5, 2023
In February 2024, Swoopes was asked about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on the "Gil's Arena" podcast
Swoopes is considered WNBA royalty, and when you’ve hooped that much in your career, you’re likely going to get asked about up-and-coming hoopers like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Swoopes said that she thought both players would have a tough transition to the WNBA. Those comments quickly flooded social media, forcing Swoopes to respond and clear the air.
“Will Caitlin Clark come into the WNBA and do what she is doing right now? Immediately, absolutely not.”
Sheryl Swoopes says Caitlin Clark will not walk right into the WNBA and dominate. pic.twitter.com/2OuMxcJI63
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 31, 2024
More parts of the podcast went viral and basketball fans dug into Swoopes' stance
With such head-turning comments from Swoopes, basketball fans went digging for the full interview. They uncovered that Swoopes inaccurately assessed Clark’s current journey to break Kelsey Plum’s scoring record. Swoopes said that Clark has played for five years and that she didn’t really respect the way Clark was breaking the record because it wasn’t in the four-year timeframe that Plum did it.
Neither of those statements are true, and Swoopes later corrected herself after being informed of the correct information (See the 2:09:08 mark of the video below). Swoopes also inaccurately said that Clark takes 40 shots a game before finishing by saying that Clark and Reese will both be successful and bring fans to the WNBA who are not there now.
However, the internet was already abuzz over her words. Within days, the Iowa women’s basketball team responded, and so did a mountain of basketball fans.
Allow us to introduce you to @CaitlinClark22:
▫️ Age: 22
▫️ Grade: True senior (4th year)
▫️ Games played: 123
▫️ Points: 3,462
▫️ Assists: 980
▫️ FGA/per game: 19.7#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/Z6ShxynYn0— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) February 4, 2024
Iowa fans decided to wear their thoughts on their shirts
Hoops fans across social media have continued the Clark and Swoopes dialogue, calling out Swoopes in the process and discussing whether or not she was correct in her assessment.
That’s when several Iowa basketball fans decided to express their stance with custom “Don’t be a Sheryl” shirts. Hoops fans immediately ripped them for it.
Don’t be a Sheryl. pic.twitter.com/iVXkuxJa5P
— 🐤 Hawkeye Hunz (@HawkeyeHunz) February 9, 2024
The shirts even prompted a subtle reaction from Caitlin Clark, who seemingly doesn't endorse them
Several hoops fans and media personalities jumped in to explain why, even if fans disagree with Swoopes, the shirts are a problem. Media personality and women’s sports advocate Ari Chambers crafted a response that got the attention of many, including Caitlin Clark.
Chambers typed out several tweets about how the shirts speak to much more significant issues in basketball, specifically for women of color. Chambers later ended her thoughts with a tweet saying that Clark respects Swoopes and just wants to play her game.
Caitlin Clark seemingly agreed and liked the tweet.
THREAD: the discourse around Sheryl Swoopes (& Candace Parker last week) is a direct reflection of how Black women aren't afforded the freedom to deliver their opinions — EXIST COMFORTABLY IN THESE SPACES, the spaces THEY (WE) BUILT — without major backlash. Let me explain…
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) February 9, 2024
Uh, guys… #NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/l9iNqZGviX
— Dana Holtzbert (@DanaHoltzbert) February 9, 2024
On February 9, Angel Reese tweeted out how she wants to be like Swoopes and Swoopes responded with praise for Reese
Angel Reese tweeted her support for the Hall of Famer in response to the Iowa fan t-shirts aimed at Swoopes.
Swoopes, who has since locked her Twitter account and changed her profile picture, responded to Reese with a compliment.
i want to be like @airswoopes22
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) February 9, 2024
