Women’s basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes has nothing but respect for Caitlin Clark, as screenshots showed her apologizing to the WNBA Rookie of the Year after expressing regret over previous comments.

Clark was named ROTY after a stunning debut season in the WNBA, which came after she was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024. Clark had also departed Iowa as a Hawkeyes legend, and became the all-time NCAA points scorer before turning pro.

Amid the Clark buzz ahead of the 2024 WNBA Draft, Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion, incorrectly claimed that the Iowa star stayed in college for five years and took over 40 shots per game to break the NCAA record. Clark was with the Hawkeyes for four seasons and averaged 22.7 shots per game, leading to an apology from Swoopes shortly after.

Fans began calling Swoopes out for her comments, and the WNBA legend responded by posting screenshots on Sept. 2 of a conversation in February between her and Clark. It was Swoopes who reached out to the then-rookie, as she wrote: “Hey Caitlin! I wanted to personally reach out to you and say I made a mistake on what year this is for you.

“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.” The gesture was appreciated by Clark, who even thanked Swoopes for being a role model.

Clark replied: “No worries at all I really appreciate you reaching out and there’s no hard feelings. I appreciate all you have done for women’s ball and for inspiring girls like me and building the foundation and platform we have today!”

Clark won WNBA Rookie of the Year after a statement year with the Indiana Fever ( 
Image:
Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
After exchanging pleasantries, Swoopes sent one final message to Clark as she wrote: “I really appreciate you and your game. You are taking it to a whole new level. Keep being great! Have a blessed night.”

Swoopes also upset fans when claiming that Clark hadn’t ‘dominated’ during her rookie season, but it was seemingly nothing but tough love from the former star. “To me, what Caitlin’s been able to do in a short period of time has been very impressive,” Swoopes said on ‘Gil’s Arena’ last season.

“I still don’t think she’s dominating, but she’s a different player than she was in the first half of the season.” While fans focused on Swoopes’ opinion of Clark, the former WNBA champion explained that rookies rarely dominate veterans.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Swoopes’ public stance has changed, after celebrating Clark’s historic eight-year deal worth $28 million with Nike. Swoopes was the first woman to receive a Nike signature shoe back in 1995 after signing a $175,000 contract, and now Clark has signed the largest deal in women’s basketball history.

“I think it’s really great for the league to see a player like an A’ja (Wilson) and a Caitlin Clark signing a $20 million contract,” Swoopes said on the ‘In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams’ podcast. “Like, I don’t even know what to say about that.

“I never thought that I would see this day when we started the W back in ’97. Where we’re sitting here actually talking about how far the game has come and these million-dollar contracts that female basketball players are now signing.”

Ahead of the 2025 season, Swoopes’ public stance has changed, after celebrating Clark’s historic eight-year deal worth $28 million with Nike. Swoopes was the first woman to receive a Nike signature shoe back in 1995 after signing a $175,000 contract, and now Clark has signed the largest deal in women’s basketball history.

“I think it’s really great for the league to see a player like an A’ja (Wilson) and a Caitlin Clark signing a $20 million contract,” Swoopes said on the ‘In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams’ podcast. “Like, I don’t even know what to say about that.

“I never thought that I would see this day when we started the W back in ’97. Where we’re sitting here actually talking about how far the game has come and these million-dollar contracts that female basketball players are now signing.”

Ahead of the 2025 season, Swoopes’ public stance has changed, after celebrating Clark’s historic eight-year deal worth $28 million with Nike. Swoopes was the first woman to receive a Nike signature shoe back in 1995 after signing a $175,000 contract, and now Clark has signed the largest deal in women’s basketball history.

“I think it’s really great for the league to see a player like an A’ja (Wilson) and a Caitlin Clark signing a $20 million contract,” Swoopes said on the ‘In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams’ podcast. “Like, I don’t even know what to say about that.

“I never thought that I would see this day when we started the W back in ’97. Where we’re sitting here actually talking about how far the game has come and these million-dollar contracts that female basketball players are now signing.”

Ahead of the 2025 season, Swoopes’ public stance has changed, after celebrating Clark’s historic eight-year deal worth $28 million with Nike. Swoopes was the first woman to receive a Nike signature shoe back in 1995 after signing a $175,000 contract, and now Clark has signed the largest deal in women’s basketball history.

“I think it’s really great for the league to see a player like an A’ja (Wilson) and a Caitlin Clark signing a $20 million contract,” Swoopes said on the ‘In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams’ podcast. “Like, I don’t even know what to say about that.

“I never thought that I would see this day when we started the W back in ’97. Where we’re sitting here actually talking about how far the game has come and these million-dollar contracts that female basketball players are now signing.”

Ahead of the 2025 season, Swoopes’ public stance has changed, after celebrating Clark’s historic eight-year deal worth $28 million with Nike. Swoopes was the first woman to receive a Nike signature shoe back in 1995 after signing a $175,000 contract, and now Clark has signed the largest deal in women’s basketball history.

“I think it’s really great for the league to see a player like an A’ja (Wilson) and a Caitlin Clark signing a $20 million contract,” Swoopes said on the ‘In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams’ podcast. “Like, I don’t even know what to say about that.

“I never thought that I would see this day when we started the W back in ’97. Where we’re sitting here actually talking about how far the game has come and these million-dollar contracts that female basketball players are now signing.”