Caitlin Clark is considered one of the greatest women's basketball players in college history, with a strong case for being the best. She holds the record for the highest number of points scored in NCAA women's history. But is it feasible for her to play in the NBA?
Shaquille O’Neal, a basketball legend, has prompted debates about Clark's potential in the NBA by sharing a quote from sports journalist Rob Parker, who is advocating for this idea. O’Neal also expressed his belief that Clark is the best collegiate player in history. Debates on this topic can be found in various Reddit threads dedicated to discussing this question.
O’Neal commended her, saying this during a TNT broadcast.
However, some express doubts that Clark has the physical strength or size to compete with much larger NBA players, and she herself has stated that she intends to join the WNBA, not the NBA. Regardless, she has received an offer to play in a different men’s professional league against former NBA players: Ice Cube’s Big3 League, as confirmed by the rapper on X.
A former NBA player in the Big3, Kenyon Martin, shared his skepticism during a podcast, stating that he believes Clark would struggle to score against men in the Big3.
“It’s a step below prison ball. Can you imagine her facing off against Reggie Evans?” Martin commented on a podcast, reported by Fox News. “Just to entertain the idea, if she were to participate and he put her out there.”
He added: “She wouldn't score at all… It's 3-on-3, there's nowhere for her to hide.” Some Reddit commenters also hold doubts, with one stating, “I don't understand how anyone could seriously think this. She's too small to play point in the NBA, using a smaller ball, closer 3 point line, and different rules. There's no way it would work out.”
However, another well-known basketball player does think believes Clark could succeed in scoring, and Parker believes her ability to make three-pointers gives her an edge.
Here's the key information:
A Prominent Sports Journalist Claims to Be 'Convinced' That Caitlin Clark Could Compete in the NBA
While the original post is no longer visible on his page, O'Neal shared a statement by podcaster and sports journalist Rob Parker, who stated during a podcast, “I am convinced that Caitlin Clark could compete in today’s ‘soft’ NBA.”
When referring to the 'soft' NBA, Sportskeeda clarified that Parker was indicating rule changes that favor offensive players. Although Shaq didn't add a personal comment, some sources interpreted his sharing of the statement as a silent indication of his agreement.
Sportskeeda pointed out that Clark is only 6 feet tall and weighs 150 pounds, and suggested that she “might not have the stature and size to endure a grueling 82-game schedule.”
As per Fox Sports Radio, Parker also mentioned, “This is not to disrespect Ice Cube, but Caitlin Clark is too skilled for the Big3 and not just that, she's too skilled for the WNBA. I am convinced that Caitlin Clark should play for an NBA team, NOT a WNBA team. This is not a gimmick like Eddie Gaedel with the White Sox. Remember they had the small person who they tried to get him to walk every at bat? This is not a sideshow. This is not the bearded lady at the circus.”
He added:
The NBA right now is so soft as far as physical play. They allow almost anyone to just take three-point shots, and I really believe that Caitlin Clark could put up threes in this man’s NBA. This is not 2004, this is not the 90’s, this is an NBA where the three-ball is open, and it’s open to be had. We just saw Steph Curry go up against a female [Sabrina Ionescu] in the three-point shooting contest. I’m telling you she could play, she could make shots in the NBA. If they get her on some screens, they can open her up for some shots, some open looks… Nancy Lieberman already played in a men’s league and that wasn’t taking threes. In this NBA where you’re not physical, where you can put up threes, I’m telling you, I think she could make threes in the NBA. I’m not saying she’s gonna be a star. We’re not asking her to be the best player in the league we’re asking her to make some threes.
With the way they play the game now from the perimeter – she’s putting up shots from the logo! Why can’t she do that in the NBA? We just saw an All-Star Game where they didn’t even put their hands up defensively. There are a lot of open shots that you see in the NBA every night. She’s not going to be the star of the team but could she play and put up some shots? YES. She too good for the WNBA and that would be a waste of talent. She’s the greatest shooter we’ve ever seen from the perimeter for the women’s game; if you’re going to give someone an opportunity [a women playing in the NBA for the first time], it should be her. Can we have her go to training camp? Can we have her fail? Can some NBA team give her an opportunity? What is so wrong with trying and giving her an opportunity??”
Fox Sports Radio reported that two women have been selected in the NBA Draft, Denise Long in 1969, and Lusia Harris in 1977, but neither ever played in a game.
A well-known former NBA player believes Caitlin Clark could score more than 10 points.
GettyCaitlin Clark.
Former NBA player Kevin Garnett thinks Clark could score points if she played in the NBA, as stated by Sports Illustrated.
Garnett said in a podcast, "She can get more than a bucket. She can get more than 10. She gonna give you more than 10 (points) — she can shoot and she got work, bro."
Other NBA players also praised Clark’s skills. Bulls player Coby White told reporters, "Honestly, she reminds me a lot of — the way that she controls the game and play makes and gets everybody but also the stepbacks and her shot — she reminds me a lot of Luka [Doncic]." told reporters.
Fans expressed doubts on a Reddit thread about whether Caitlin Clark could play in the NBA, saying, "As a stunt sure. But the differences between her and the absolute worst man in the league are massive. She couldn’t get a shot off in the nba and would be head and shoulders the worst defender/rebounder in the league."
Caitlin Clark trying to stop Lebron in the fastbreak pic.twitter.com/Pyw4QzWEOd https://t.co/JJ1QZOETLO
— IKB 🛤 (@laplswin) February 16, 2024
Another comment writer added, "Yeah maybe as a fringe garbage timer that can hit a couple 3s here and there like a Quinn Cook. Her size limitation and lack of strength would be too much of a con but i could see her as a 15th roster spot maybe only because she’s so good at shooting."
Caitlin Clark has stated she will be playing in the WNBA, not the NBA.
Even though she has one year of college eligibility left, Clark said in February that she will enter the WNBA draft.
Clark said in a statement, “While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa.” posted to X. “I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft.”
She’s expected to be chosen by the Indiana Fever, as per Sports Illustrated, which holds the number one draft pick.
Caitlin Clark has been offered $5 million to play in Ice Cube’s Big3 League.
According to TMZ, Clark has received a $5 million offer to play just 10 games in Ice Cube’s Big3 League. This would see her play against former NBA players in the men’s professional league.
Ice Cube confirmed the offer in a series of posts on X.
“We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship. But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3,” Ice Cube wrote.
“The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men’s pro team, and she won the championship in her first year. Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes,” he continued.
However, it’s not clear whether Clark would accept this offer. USA Today thinks she will not, noting that “there are different rules in the BIG 3 that emphasize defense and promote a more physical style of play.”
