NBA legend Shaquille “Shaq” O'Neal has publicly praised WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark, calling her “the real deal” after witnessing her impressive performance in a recent game.
What Happened: O'Neal praised Clark after witnessing her performance in Chicago, USA Today reported on Wednesday.
O'Neal, a Hall of Famer and former NBA star, attended the game on Aug. 30 to support Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. He has a close bond with Reese, who considers him a father figure.
During the game, Clark led the Indiana Fever to a 100-81 victory with a career-high 31 points and 12 assists. Reese contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds.
O'Neal was impressed by Clark's performance, stating, "She can play … from a basketball standpoint, she makes all the right plays, gets everybody involved and she has that Steph Curry (shooting) range."
He also mentioned that the 2024 Rookie of the Year race will likely be between Reese and Clark. Clark's team has already secured a playoff spot, making her a strong contender for the award.
Why It Matters: Clark’s rise in the WNBA has been meteoric, yet she faced a significant setback earlier this year. Despite her stellar performance, she was not selected for the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team. The decision, attributed to a preference for veteran players, left many fans and analysts surprised given her talent and potential.
Recently, Shaq, showed off his new Tesla Cybertruck featuring a widebody carbon fiber design, a first of its kind in the world.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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