Two legends of the WNBA have rubbished rumours of jealousy or pettiness within the league towards Caitlin Clark after her high-profile arrival as the number one draft pick.
Clark has copped some physical treatment on the court as her Indiana Fever struggled to an 0-5 start to the season.
Despite no-one saying as much, rumours emerged that some veteran WNBA players may not have appreciated the outsized spotlight on Clark, whose arrival after a record-breaking college career saw the league receive unprecedented viewership and funds.
“Y’all petty, girls,” former NBA MVP and legendary broadcaster Charles Barkley said on television coverage of the men’s play-offs.
“I expect men to be petty, because we’re the most insecure group in the world, [but] y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all ass private charters.
“All the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA; don’t be petty like dudes. What she’s accomplished, give her her flowers.”
But WNBA great and current championship-winning coach of the Las Vegas Aces Becky Hammon said there was no animosity towards the young star.
“We love Caitlin Clark. I think she’s amazing. I watch every time I possibly can. And our league loves her,” Hammon said.
“This narrative of everybody hating on Caitlin Clark, and even the black and white thing, knock it off.
“It’s not there. It’s not there. Shut down the noise.”
The Fever eventually got their first win of the season against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday (AEST), with Clark almost getting a triple-double, with 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
She also had four steals and nailed a trademark deep three to seal the 78-73.
While she sits in the top 10 for assists and three-pointers made per game, she has struggled with low percentages from the field and from deep.
But two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson said that is typical of a first-year player and said she can only imagine how “exhausted” Clark must be with all the attention.
“She’s learning and growing just like everyone else. People don’t give her a chance,” she said.
“I tell our rookies every day ‘this is new, you’re coming into a whole new world and starting over’.
“The questions are only annoying because she’s young, she’s a rookie, [and] y’all are asking us these question as if she’s a grown ass woman that’s been in this league for years.
“I’m just exhausted over the conversation because I know she’s exhausted, I can only imagine.”
Hammon, Wilson and the rest of the reigning champion Aces take on Clark’s Fever on Sunday.