Latest news with #Swoopes
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sheryl Swoopes Doesn't Hold Back on Caitlin Clark After Heated Foul on Angel Reese
In what's becoming one of the most talked-about rivalries in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's latest clash is now drawing commentary from some of the game's biggest legends. During an appearance on the Gil's Arena show, Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes weighed in on the flagrant foul Clark committed against Reese over the weekend — and why Clark's behavior afterward didn't sit right with her. Advertisement With just minutes left in the third quarter of the Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever matchup, Clark swatted Reese hard on the arm while trying to strip the ball, knocking her to the ground. The officials ruled it a flagrant foul, and video of the brief altercation immediately went viral. Swoopes took issue not with the foul — but with what Clark did after 'You're going to foul somebody… I was always taught you don't give up an easy basket. And that's what I thought Caitlin did,' Swoopes began. But then she made it clear: 'My thing with that was — stand in it. Don't walk away.' Swoopes didn't criticize the physicality of the play. In fact, she praised the refs for getting it right and called it a 'hard foul' that should've ended there. But what truly bothered her was Clark's refusal to own the moment. 'I also have always been taught when I played — go grab your own teammate, don't come grab my teammate,' Swoopes added, referencing Aliyah Boston stepping in between Reese and Clark. Advertisement Swoopes closed with a sharp but fair assessment: 'I didn't have a problem with the foul. I got issues with all the other stuff.' Her words echo what many around the league have been saying — the play was one thing. How it was handled afterward may be what keeps this rivalry burning all season. Related: Emmanuel Acho Doesn't Hold Back About Angel Reese's Reaction to Caitlin Clark Related: Russell Wilson Opens Up About Adjusting to Life With Ciara in NYC
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sheryl Swoopes Criticizes Decision by Caitlin Clark's Fever Coach
The 2025 WNBA season is right around the corner, and anticipation is building. Fans are buzzing — and even legends like three-time MVP Sheryl Swoopes are getting in on the excitement. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Star
Sheryl Swoopes shows allegiances as Paige Bueckers joins Caitlin Clark in WNBA
Basketball icon Sheryl Swoopes has gained a title of 'Caitlin Clark hater' among fans since the Iowa standout entered the professional scene, drawing ire again for her comments on a recent podcast. Critics jumped on Swoopes for incorrectly stating on air that Clark played five seasons with Iowa before becoming the top pick by Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft and saying she wasn't exactly "dominating" in the league. Notably, Clark bagged the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, leading to a backtrack from Swoopes who eventually offered an apology and even pegged the Fever as possible champs in 2025. Yet, Swoopes stirred the pot again, this time with Clark's followers, for sporting a Paige Bueckers tee on the 'Gils Arena' podcast. Read More Related Articles Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd join forces as Huskies teammates announce bold new venture Read More Related Articles Chiney Ogwumike shares 'biggest goal' as WNBA off-court plans stepped up Having been drafted first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers heads to the Dallas Wings fresh from nabbing a national championship in college. And with Swoopes showcasing support for the UConn prodigy, echoes of last year's omitted accolades for Clark have resurfaced amongst her supporters. "Sheryl Swoopes is a Generational Hater. Like she really hates Caitlin Clark," vented one fan online. "This is just hilarious, it just feels petty now. She needs to move on, we have," chimed in another. "We should just turn it around and start talking about how Paige is gonna be better than Swoopes ever was," quipped one enthusiastic fan. While some of Clark's supporters reckon Swoopes harbors a biased view against the Fever ace, the iconic WNBA figure sought to dispel such notions in the previous season. After making an error with Clark's stats before the 2024 WNBA Draft, Swoopes reached out with an apology, and the top draft pick responded by calling her "inspiring" to everyone in the league. "Hey Caitlin! I wanted to personally reach out to you and say I made a mistake on what year this is for you," Swoopes conveyed in a heartfelt message to Clark. Paige Bueckers will join Caitlin Clark in the WNBA (Image: Getty Images) "I also have nothing but respect for you and your game and appreciate your skill. Congrats on everything you have accomplished thus far. Be blessed." On the 'Unapologetically Angel' podcast hosted by Angel Reese, Swoopes poured more accolades on Clark. 'I'm going to give Caitlin Clark her flowers,' declared Swoopes. "Yes, I said that... I'm going to give Caitlin her flowers because I think what she has done coming into this league absolutely has brought more eyes, whether you like them or not. But has brought more eyes, more marketing. Like people just want to watch the game, and they want to talk about it." In her conversation with ESPN before the 2025 WNBA season kicked off, Swoopes again praised Indiana as a championship threat after lauding the front office's strategy of building the team around Clark. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Get Peacock Get Peacock starting at $7.99 Looking for more to watch ? Peacock has hit shows, movies, live sports, and more. You can watch popular titles like The Traitors, Yellowstone, and Love Island USA, along with golf tours, NFL games, and Premier League matches all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 a month and you can cancel anytime. $7.99 Peacock Subscribe Here "The team that I feel made the biggest moves, maybe the best moves, that would be the Indiana Fever," declared basketball icon Sheryl Swoopes. "I think the Indiana Fever went from just being in the playoffs last season to potentially winning a championship." Swoopes highlighted the team's top-notch additions: "You add the OG DeWanna Bonner, who plays both ends of the floor and is a competitor, and Natasha Howard, who is another OG, who is going to bring the defensive presence. And then you're bringing back Aliyah Boston , who continues to get better every single year." She couldn't hide her enthusiasm for Kelsey Mitchell's scoring prowess and Caitlin Clark's off-season progress: "Can we talk about Kelsey Mitchell, who is just a walking bucket? How much stronger Caitlin got in the offseason, you know she was in the gym working on her game. This Indiana Fever team, they have put the pieces together in this offseason, and I'm excited to see what they're going to do."
