Caitlin Clark’s rookie season in the WNBA has been nothing short of historic, sparking conversations about whether she will secure the coveted Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award.
As the hype around her continues to grow, Clark has become a polarizing figure, particularly in the wake of her rumored rivalry with Angel Reese.
Among those who have publicly supported Clark is NBA superstar LeBron James, but sports commentator Jason Whitlock is raising concerns about LeBron’s motives.
Jason Whitlock doubts LeBron James’ support of Caitlin Clark
Following Clark’s impressive 31-point performance in the Indiana Fever’s 100-81 victory over the Chicago Sky, LeBron took to social media to praise the young guard, posting, “CAITLIN CLARK!!!!! HI HATERS,” on X (formerly Twitter).
This caught the attention of Whitlock, who quickly voiced his skepticism about LeBron’s intentions.
Whitlock questioned whether LeBron’s support for Clark was genuine or merely a calculated move to align himself with her rising star.
He speculated that LeBron might be trying to ride Clark’s wave of popularity, suggesting that Clark could eventually surpass LeBron as a more significant icon within Nike, where both athletes are signed.
Whitlock even urged Clark to distance herself from LeBron and instead align with NBA legend Michael Jordan or NFL star Patrick Mahomes, despite Mahomes’ endorsement deal with Adidas.
Earlier this year, Clark made history by signing the most lucrative endorsement deal in women’s basketball with Nike.
Whitlock believes that to truly carve out her own legacy, Clark should avoid being overshadowed by LeBron’s influence and forge her path, possibly by aligning with Mahomes publicly, even if they can’t collaborate directly due to their differing brand affiliations.
LeBron has a history of praising Clark, dating back to her college days at Iowa, which Whitlock sees as part of a grand scheme to position himself as her mentor.
Whether or not Whitlock’s concerns are valid, they highlight the complexities of navigating relationships and endorsements in the high-stakes world of professional sports.
