Caitlin Clark repeats controversial white | NBA News

WNBA star Caitlin Clark has insisted she advantages from “white privilege” regardless of beforehand coming below fire for suggesting that was the case. Clark loved a stellar debut season within the WNBA, taking home the celebrated Rookie of the Year award.

Her performances on the court docket took the league by storm, however it was Clark’s feedback off it that sparked essentially the most controversy. The 23-year-old went out of her approach to acknowledge her “white privilege” during an interview after being named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year. There had been a lot of people sad with the feedback, together with OutKick founder Clay Travis and businessman Dave Portnoy, who each slammed Clark for her remarks.

Despite the backlash, Clark has doubled down on the assertion when requested about it on David Letterman’s Netflix show, ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.’ The basketball star defined: “I definitely have privilege. I’m obviously White but I think… I’m somebody that grew up a huge fan of this league. I grew up watching this league, going to games, supporting this league. So, I know where this league comes from.

“A lot of Black women that grew up making this league what it is. That’s kind of the shoulders that we stand on. So, I think that was something I’m very aware of and something I’m very thankful for. And they definitely deserve all the credit and the more we can give credit to them, the better. I’m very aware of that and I know that and I think there is responsibility in acknowledging that.”

Clark’s impression within the WNBA was felt proper throughout the league, with ticket gross sales, merchandise income and viewership all spiking as a consequence of the Indiana Fever star’s rise to fame.

The Iowa-born ace topped the statistic standings in a number of fields, together with a league-high 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per recreation, in addition to 122 three-pointers – the second most ever recorded in a single season.

Such was the will to see Clark in motion that well-liked broadcaster Stephen A. Smith claimed her impression exceeded that of fellow American superstars Serena Williams and Simone Biles. While talking on an ESPN broadcast, he mentioned: “I guess what I’m saying is, with Serena Williams, you were watching her. With Simone Biles, you were watching her. Caitlin Clark got you watching the league.

“Because it wasn’t simply her. You wished to see who ultimately she was going to finish up going in opposition to. You noticed folks attempting to get at her… she has you transfixed on your entire league.”