Sheryl Swoopes Criticizes Decision by Caitlin Clark's Fever Coach
Swoopes appeared on the latest episode of "The Women's Hoops Show," where she discussed the topics around the WNBA, including the Indiana Fever's latest move: cutting rookie guard Bree Hall.
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Swoopes hasn't shied away from speaking her mind, as last season she raised questions about the legitimacy of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's college scoring record.
During the recent episode, Swoopes questioned Fever head coach Stephanie White's decision to give veterans like Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham minutes over Hall and then cut her without giving her a fair opportunity to prove herself.
In the first preseason game against the Washington Mystics, Hall didn't see the court at all.
"Even though the starters weren't in, like Sophie Cunningham and Lexi Hull, they've been in the league for a while," Swoopes said. "You actually had players like Bree Hall. Why wasn't she in that game, per se? If you are still trying to figure out who's going to make the team, who you're going to cut. So I was a little confused with what Steph [White] was doing."
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes.© Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Swoopes then went on to share her viewpoint on the preseason, emphasizing that it's about evaluating players a coach may be unsure of, rather than the ones already returning.
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"But to me, when I think about preseason, it really isn't so much for your players that you know are returning, the players that you know are gonna make the team," Swoopes added.
"But it's more about, I'm not sure about this particular player. Let me get her in a real-life game situation and see how she handles that. But I'm also gonna probably play her a few minutes with my starters to see how that looks, how that works."
Hall was drafted 20th overall by the Fever last month and spent just three weeks with the team. Although she didn't play in the first preseason game, she logged minutes in the second — a 64-point blowout win over the Brazil national team. She played 16:25, finishing with nine points, four rebounds and no assists.
Related: Angel Reese's Mother Sends Strong Message to Caitlin Clark Fans
Related: Cameras Catch Gabbie Marshall's Reaction to Caitlin Clark's Logo Three
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