Caitlin Clark has faced critics from the moment she arrived in the WNBA, but this time a respected voice stepped in to set the record straight. UCLA head coach Cori Close delivered a powerful message about Clark’s influence, and her words are making fans rethink the entire conversation around the Indiana Fever superstar.
Cori Close’s recent appearance on The Stephen A Smith Show added a fresh perspective to the ongoing public debate surrounding Caitlin Clark’s rising fame. While Clark continues to draw massive crowds and unmatched media attention, she also faces pushback from some fans who seem overwhelmed by her meteoric rise. Close reminded everyone that Clark’s popularity is not an accident, nor is it simply about her scoring ability. It is about her energy, her connection with people, and her undeniable charisma.
Close shared that she coached Clark during her time with USA Basketball, long before the national spotlight reached its current intensity. Even then, she said Clark had a magnetism that brought people together. The way she described it made it clear that this was not manufactured hype. It was natural, genuine, and something that elevated everyone around her.
The UCLA coach also encouraged fans to take a broader view of the WNBA’s growth. She acknowledged that while some players receive more attention than others, rising stars like Clark and USC’s Juju Watkins are opening doors for the entire league. According to Close, their influence goes beyond personal achievements. They are pulling new fans into women’s basketball and paving the way for bigger opportunities for everyone.
She emphasized that even the tension that sometimes arises between fanbases can be healthy when it keeps the sport in the spotlight. For Close, the conversations, debates, and even disagreements all add to the league’s momentum. Instead of criticizing Clark’s attention, she believes fans should use that spotlight to continue building support for women’s sports.
Clark’s second year in the WNBA ended in an unexpected way due to injuries, yet her impact remained strong. The Fever still made a playoff push without her, showing how much influence she had already had in reshaping the team’s identity. As she prepares for her third season alongside Aliyah Boston and Makayla Timpson, her presence will once again be at the center of league-wide attention. And according to Cori Close, that is something everyone should appreciate.
Comment Section Prompt
Do you agree with Cori Close’s message about Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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