Caitlin Clark vs. Sheryl Swoopes beef, explained: Why WNBA legend questioned Iowa star’s scoring record

Caitlin Clark, Sheryl Swoopes

In case an introduction for Sheryl Swoopes is needed, she’s a four-time WNBA champion, three-time MVP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, six-time All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2016. She played in the WNBA throughout the early 2000s, most notably with the Houston Comets, and is considered one of the best to ever play.

Swoopes earned her respect years ago. But recent comments on Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark now have some questioning Swoopes.

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Nearly inarguably, Clark is a legend in the making, if she’s not one already. She answered one of the only questions left when she broke the all-time scoring record in collegiate basketball.

However, before Clark cementing herself in NCAA history, Swoopes made her doubts known of the Iowa sensation.

Here’s everything you need to know about the drama between Swoopes and Clark.

Sheryl Swoopes comments on Caitlin Clark’s scoring record

On “Gil’s Arena,” Swoopes said she doesn’t think Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese will transition to the pro game immediately. She mentioned that with limited roster spots, current WNBA players will fight to hang onto their jobs, and it’s difficult for rookies to come in and dominate like they do in college.

“Will Caitlin Clark be a good pro? Absolutely,” Swoopes said. “Will Caitlin Clark come into the WNBA and do what she’s doing right now immediately? Absolutely not. Not going to happen.”

What really got fans going was what Swoopes had to say about Clark’s scoring record. At the time, the Hawkeye was nearing Kelsey Plum’s all-time scoring record of 3,527, ultimately breaking it on Feb. 16. Now, she is chasing after Pete Maravich for the NCAA basketball record.

“If Kelsey Plum set that record in four years, well, Caitlin should’ve broke that record in four years,” Swoopes said. “But because there’s a COVID year, and then there’s another year, you know what I mean? So she’s already had an extra year to break that record. So, is it truly a broken record? I don’t know. I don’t think so. But yeah, that’ll go in the record books. And, I don’t think it should be.”

The WNBA legend inaccurately said that Clark has spent more time in college basketball than Plum, using her COVID year of eligibility. In reality, Clark is in her fourth season, the same amount of time it took Plum to break the record.