Former NBA star lashes out at WNBA players, calls out their 'jealousy' for Caitlin Clark

Former NBA player and analyst Austin Rivers called out WNBA players for their jealousy towards standout rookie Caitlin Clark, especially after her altercation with Chennedy Carter. In a video on his X account, Rivers urged players to acknowledge Clark's significant impact on women's basketball. 

He emphasized that instead of harbouring envy, they should appreciate how Clark has positively influenced the league. Rivers noted that the WNBA has historically faced financial challenges and low visibility, but Clark's rise has started to bring much-needed attention and change.

He said, “For the longest time, the WNBA was synonymous with a lot of things—not making a lot of money, actually losing money…their athletes were not being compensated and treated properly, and as a whole, their sport, in terms of women playing basketball, did not garner the proper attention.”

“And now this woman comes along and brings the world in and is giving y'all that proper attention and respect...And instead of being appreciative and acknowledging that, you guys are coming at her with these hate-a** comments”, Rivers added. 

'If you girls were Destiny's Child, she would be Beyoncé', says Austin Rivers 

Further comparing Caitlin Clark with Beyonce Austin said that no other coaches, players and athletes have done more for WNBA than Clark. “There are women athletes, basketball players and coaches who could raise their hands and say they had a part in playing the awareness that has grown in the game of women's basketball, but no more than Caitlin Clark,” Rivers said.

“If you girls were Destiny's Child, she would be Beyoncé. If all the girls in collegiate sports were a band and they were NSYNC, she would be Justin Timberlake. She is the main attraction. There's no ifs, ands or buts about that.”

“No one's saying Caitlin Clark is the greatest basketball player ever. No one's saying Caitlin Clark is the greatest basketball player even right now in the WNBA. She's not in that conversation yet, but she's a hell of a talent,” he said.

Notably, a day ago another WNBA rookie Angel Reese had slammed people for running a narrative that only Clark had made the WNBA famous. While speaking with media she had said, “It’s not just one person. I think people don’t realize that because the narrative is that just one person changing the game.”