Tennis legend Billie Jean King is warning WNBA players not to blow their good fortune of playing at the same time as Caitlin Clark.
WNBA veterans have been playing zealous defense on Clark in her rookie year, and things got ratcheted up on Saturday when Sky guard Chennedy Carter hit her with a non-basketball cheap shot and has refused to show any remorse.
King advised the WNBA establishment to not mess this up.
“This generation is so important for the WNBA, you have to set an example. Children are watching. How do you want to be remembered? This generation has a chance to set this league on fire. Don’t blow it with animosity. Do not blow it. Just play ball. Play hard but no cheap shots,” King told USA Today.
King noted how much Clark, the top pick in the 2024 draft after setting the NCAA’s all-time scoring record last season, has already lifted the league.
“As great as the WNBA has been, with amazing stars like Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, among others, this year is a turning point, and it’s because of Caitlin,” she said.
“Breaking the college records, everyone wearing the No. 22 jerseys. Things are going good for the WNBA, for women’s sports. They are amazing for everyone with all these sellouts and all this interest and we’ve got to keep that going now.
“Whether you like it or not, Caitlin is the reason for so much of this interest. She’s a superstar. When she does well, everyone does better. The league is going to do better. The veterans were the building blocks and now Caitlin and this rookie class have this incredible platform to take the league to an entirely new place.”
King likened it to when her former on-court rival, Chris Evert, joined the pro circuit at 16 years old and started winning big matches — and King had to tell the other pros not to be jealous about it.
“She’s the reason we had all those people watching us,” King remembered.
“I told them Chris is fantastic for our sport. Look at the crowds. You could not get in the place. She’s the next superstar. She’s going to put more money in our pockets.”
She added: “That means everyone has to be more hospitable. When you’re on the court against her, you gotta play tough as always, but no cheap shots. It’s our job to make sure she is treated fairly.”
