Dawn Staley’s past criticism of Caitlin Clark has resurfaced, sparking anger among fans.

The comments, which implied that referees played a role in influencing Iowa’s victory over South Carolina in a championship game, have been met with strong backlash.

Many fans have disputed Staley’s remarks, especially given Clark’s continued success on the court.

Caitlin Clark has become one of the most respected and accomplished women’s basketball players in recent years, earning admiration from fans and analysts alike for her exceptional skills and leadership. Staley’s criticisms, however, seem to contradict the widespread recognition of Clark’s talent.

As Clark’s career has progressed, particularly with her impressive performance in the WNBA, her achievements stand in stark contrast to Staley’s earlier comments, leading many to wonder if the coach might regret her words.

The backlash on social media, particularly on platforms like X, underscores the passionate engagement of fans in the ongoing discourse surrounding women’s sports.

The reaction highlights the tension that can exist within the narratives of women’s basketball, where players’ performances and achievements often become the subject of intense debate.

As Clark’s star continues to rise, her success serves as a testament to her ability to overcome criticism and prove her worth on the national stage, challenging any doubts about her abilities and reinforcing her status as one of the top players in the game today.

Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce started 2025 with a bang by inviting WNBA star and noted Kansas City Chiefs fan Caitlin Clark on their popular podcast, “New Heights.”

The collaboration between some of the most successful sports stars of 2024 was sure to draw plenty of fan fare, but the Kelces may not have expected Clark to open up about one of the sad parts of her early basketball career.

In an early clip released from Thursday’s episode, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year dove deep into her past, long before she became a WNBA All-Star and the NCAA all-time scoring leader.

Prompted by a question from Kansas City’s star tight end, Clark revealed that she had gotten her first college recruiting letter in seventh grade. She used a heavy description to reveal her feelings about that milestone, which left fans intrigued to hear the full conversation.

“It’s honestly sad,” Clark admitted. “Where college recruitment has gone, it’s just insane.”

Clark’s family shielded her from putting pressure on her future at such a young age. Her older brother would hide the mail from her, and the basketball starlet did not take any campus visits until after her freshman year of high school, according to the interview.

“As a long-time women’s sports fan, I’m excited for this episode,” wrote a fan in the YouTube comments.

“This girl has helped elevate women’s basketball to new heights!” another replied.

“Look forward to seeing the entire interview!” said an eager viewer.

The excitement to see Clark on “New Heights” has been present since the Kelces teased a special guest on the show before Christmas. The new clip, featuring an honest and vulnerable look at the WNBA star, only raised anticipation.

“So glad Caitlin was the surprise guest!” replied a fan of the show. “She will be a fun interview!”

“This should be a good episode,” said one YouTube comment. “I feel like Caitlin would have a lot of cool stories about what the WNBA is really like.”