LeBron James Is ‘Rooting for’ Caitlin Clark, Says She’ll Do ‘Great Things’ for WNBA

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 20: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball during the third quarter in the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

 

Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

LeBron James believes that Indiana Fever rookie phenom Caitlin Clark is going to “great things” for the WNBA.

“The one thing I love that she’s bringing to her sport: More people want to watch. More people want to tune in,” James said on Wednesday’s episode of the Mind the Game podcast he co-hosts with JJ Redick. “Don’t get it twisted, don’t get it f–ked up. Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is gonna happen for the WNBA.

“I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before, I’ve walked that road before. I hope she kills.”

The all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s college basketball is so far leading the Fever through four games by averaging 17.0 points and 5.5 assists.

James compared his own highly-anticipated 2003 NBA debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers to Clark’s arrival in the WNBA, which has coincided with a spike of interest in Fever game attendance on the road.

When Clark arrived in New York for her Barclays Center debut Saturday, the New York Liberty sold out the 17,735-fan arena and made a league-record $2 million in ticket revenue, Doug Feinberg reported for the Associated Press

Her regular-season debut against the Connecticut Sun led to the Sun selling out a home opener for the first time since the team’s first WNBA game in 2003, according to ESPN.

The WNBA is betting that Clark will continue drawing viewers to Fever games. Indiana was selected for 36 national television games due to the expectation they would select the former Iowa star in the draft.

 

Clark has yet to return to the total dominance she displayed at the college level as the Fever have struggled in an 0-4 season start.

The Fever rookie is shooting 34.3 percent from deep and averaging 6.5 turnovers per game through four outings, leading to criticism of her adjustment to the WNBA.

James compared Clark’s critics to those doubting his son, Bronny James, who entered his name in the 2024 NBA Draft after recovering from heart surgery to play 25 games during his freshman season at USC.

“There’s a very small number of men and women that actually get to live out their dream of playing a professional sport, and we have grown-ass men and women out here doing whatever they have to try to make sure that does not happen. That is the weirdest thing in the world,” James said. “But it is what it is, and I’m glad that Caitlin has a great head on her shoulders.”

Clark and the Fever will seek their first win of the season Wednesday night against the Seattle Storm. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET.