LeBron James says he’s ‘rooting’ for Caitlin Clark in WNBA, calls out her critics: ‘I’ve been in that seat before’

NBA superstar LeBron James said he’s “rooting” for Caitlin Clark to succeed in the WNBA and wants more people to acknowledge how she’s bringing attention to women’s basketball.

“The one thing that I love that she’s bringing to her sport: More people want to watch,” James said on his “Mind the Game” podcast. “More people want to tune in. Don’t get it twisted. Don’t get it f—ked up. Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things are going to happen for the WNBA.”

Clark has played four games in the WNBA after the Indiana Fever selected her with the top pick in this year’s draft. Fans have flocked to WNBA arenas to see her play, despite Clark showing she has much to learn in the jump from the NCAA, where she is the all-time leading scorer.

GO DEEPER

What we learned from Caitlin Clark's first week in the WNBA

Everywhere Clark went last season, the fans — and television viewers — followed, setting records. But with her level of celebrity, she’s also been heavily criticized for how she broke the NCAA scoring record and the extra attention she’s received.

James, the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and dubbed “The Chosen One” by Sports Illustrated as a high school junior, said he knows what Clark is going through.

“For her individually, I don’t think she should get involved in (anything) that’s being said. Just go have fun, enjoy,” James said. “I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before. I’ve walked that road before. I hope she kills. I hope (Indiana Fever forward) Aliyah Boston does amazing. I hope they do great.”

NSFW: LeBron James spoke about Caitlin Clark's impact on the WNBA.

"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."

🎥 @mindthegamepod pic.twitter.com/l0AiuYHHEj

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 22, 2024

James then called out critics who have gone after Clark and his son Bronny, who entered this year’s NBA Draft after playing one season at USC, while they’re still figuring out their careers.

“I’m just kind of in this mode right now because I’m getting the same thing from watching my son (Bronny), who’s a 19-year-old, kind of getting a lot of animosity and hatred toward him when he’s just a kid trying to live out his dream,” James said. “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 can to try and make sure that does not happen. That is the weirdest thing in the world, but it is what it is, and I’m glad that Caitlin has a great head on her shoulders.”

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(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today)