Shaquille O’Neal eventually came around on Caitlin Clark — but he fought it initially.
The Basketball Hall of Famer sat down for an interview with Sports Illustrated and discussed the narrative dynamic involving Clark and fellow star rookie Angel Reese this season.
O’Neal, 52, has some skin in the game as the Reebok’s president of basketball, signing the fellow LSU alum Reese as his first big move.
O’Neal reportedly indicated that he felt like he had to be Team Reese or Team Clark, but altered his thinking over time after gradually being won over by the Indiana Fever star.
“(Clark) does everything right,” Shaq told SI. “I never spoke about her (before) because Angel (Reese) is my girl but I can truthfully say — Caitlin Clark is for real. I’m watching her play and I’m trying to be upset but she makes the right pass, makes the right play. Girls try to beat her up and she doesn’t really complain. She’s a great one, even early on (in her career).”
The shift for O’Neal came just one week ago while sitting courtside to watch Clark and the Fever drub Reese and the Chicago Sky in Chicago, 100-81, where the Iowa native netted a career-high 31 points against the Reebok representative.
“She’s the real deal,” said O’Neal of Clark. “Much respect to her and her family and the way she grew up and the way she plays. All little girls should watch all the WNBA players play but those two (Clark and Reese) are my favorite.”
Both women are embarking on record-breaking WNBA campaigns as rookies.
Reese, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, has broken the league’s single-season rebound record already.
Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Draft, has the rookie record for total assists and is 30 away from the WNBA single-season record of 316, set last year by Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas.
