The new WNBA star has hit back at Wilson’s controversial comments.

Clark

Caitlin Clark has suggested A’ja Wilson’s claim that women’s basketball is more favorable for white players than black players is not well founded, adding that there are opportunities for “every single player”.

The Indiana Fever star was the No.1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft after smashing a number of long-standing records in the NCAA, becoming the all-time record points scorer while representing the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Clark has brought a huge fanbase with her to the WNBA, with fans clamoring to Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse stadium to see her debut – and a sellout crowd is expected. Many have praised her efforts to raise the profile of the sport.

However, Las Vegas Aces player Wilson has claimed people aren’t interested in some of the WNBA’s top players because of the color of their skin.

“I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about black and white, but to me, it is,” Wilson told the Associated Press over the weekend. “It really is because you can be top-notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.

“They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as Black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is.”

Caitlin Clark thinks WNBA offers equality

That is not a viewpoint shared by Clark, who tasted defeat on her WNBA debut with the Fever after scoring 20 points in the 92-71 defeat to the Connecticut Sun.

“I think there’s opportunities for every single player in women’s basketball,” Clark said at a press conference before her debut on Tuesday. “I think the more opportunities we can give across the board, that’s what’s going to elevate women’s basketball.

“It doesn’t need to be just one or two players, and I think that even goes back to college. The parity in women’s basketball is what’s making more people want to come watch it. I think the more we can spread the love, show people, show their talent, show their teams – that’s just going to continue to elevate it.”