Clark was named the 2024 Time Magazine and AP Athlete of the Year

Caitlin Clark (22) walks off the court after the Fever were eliminated by the Connecticut SunAP

The recent WNBA Draft, in which Caitlin Clark was selected first overall, set the stage for a historic 2024 season.

The draft became the most-watched in WNBA history, with a 328% increase in viewership over 2023.

Clark’s impact extended to the All-Star Game, where she received 700,735 votes – the most in WNBA history.

The game itself, pitting Clark against Team USA, broke attendance records with 3.4 million viewers, more than doubling the previous high of 1.44 million in 2003.

Of course, the WNBA followed up with its most-watched regular season in 24 years, its highest attendance in 22 years, and record-breaking digital and merchandise sales.

It’s no surprise that Caitlin Clark, Time Magazine and AP Player of the Year, has become the face of this historic growth which will surely continue next season.

Shaq Praises Caitlin Clark and WNBA Stars

In a recent TMZ interview, Hall of Famer and four-time NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal was asked about Caitlin Clark being named Athlete of the Year.

A fan and friend of Angel Reese, who is often seen as “Clark’s rival”, Shaq simply responded, “Congratulations to her. She’s a fabulous player.” 

He also noted that the WNBA’s growth this year wasn’t just because of Clark, but because of players like Angel Reese, MVP A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and many others.

Shaq emphasized that the league now has a depth of talent unlike any time in its history, which I believe is true, the level of the WNBA is very high and has become more attractive to watch.

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However, Shaq didn’t hold back when it came to criticizing the NBA‘s decline in attendance compared to the WNBA’s rise. He sparked debate when he said: “They’re finally getting the recognition they deserve (WNBA players).

They play a lot harder than the men, they play better than the men”. A dominant post player during his career, Shaq lamented the modern NBA’s over-reliance on three-point shooting, calling it in other words monotonous.

He pointed out that teams now average around 40 three-point attempts per game with an efficiency below 30 percent and even so, with this low percentage, they are applauded, something that did not happen in their time.

Shaq concluded by predicting that the WNBA’s upward trend in ratings will continue, fueled by the high level of competition in the league.

I think it also has a lot to do with NCAA women’s basketball, that the level of play is increasing every year, because more and more women want to play basketball at this high level, and it’s certainly the best thing for the sport that women also have highly competitive leagues and people are watching them.

Let’s not forget that in basketball in particular, this growth is due in part to Caitlin Clark, who has become a figure since her time in the NCAA as the all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s history. It is clear that the future of women’s basketball is bright, and Shaq, along with many others, is here because of it.