TIME Magazine athlete of the year Caitlin Clark is NOT face of WNBA, claims ex-NBA star

Former NBA star Lou Williams disagreed with TIME Magazine awarding Caitlin Clark the Athlete of the Year honor over A'ja Wilson.

TIME Magazine athlete of the year Caitlin Clark is NOT face of WNBA, claims ex-NBA star

Lou Williams explains why Caitlin Clark should not have won Athlete of the Year

Caitlin Clark’s ascent in professional basketball reached a new pinnacle when she was named TIME Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year. The Indiana Fever rookie’s meteoric popularity has not only elevated her team’s profile but also brought unprecedented attention to the WNBA. As debates continue over her influence, former NBA star Lou Williams revealed his disagreement with TIME Magazine.

Speaking on FanDuel’s Run It Back show, Williams dismissed the notion that Caitlin Clark has surpassed A’ja Wilson as the WNBA’s most iconic figure. Instead, he argued that the Las Vegas Aces’ standout star remains the league’s definitive figure.

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A’ja has done a tremendous job of being a champion, being an MVP, doing all of these things. And now her visibility has gone up. You’re starting to see her in commercials… Is [Clark] the absolute face of the WNBA? She’s one of them, for sure… but I think that still belongs to A’ja Wilson.

Lou Williams noted

Williams cited A’ja Wilson’s remarkable track record, which includes three MVP awards in five seasons, two WNBA championships, and setting the single-season scoring record in 2024. Wilson, he noted, has consistently dominated on the court while elevating her presence through national advertising campaigns and endorsements.

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Clark, on the other hand, was transformative for the WNBA and women’s basketball as a whole. Her rookie season captivated audiences and drew record-breaking viewership, showcasing her unprecedented impact on the league. While Lou Williams feels Wilson’s sustained dominance cements her as the league’s cornerstone, there’s certainly no doubt that Clark’s win was well deserved.

Caitlin Clark responds to Megyn Kelly’s scathing rant

Since her entry into the WNBA, Caitlin Clark is somehow always at the center of controversy. She recently found herself amidst another controversy when journalist Megyn Kelly criticized her comments on White privilege during her TIME interview.

Clark had expressed awareness of her ‘White privilege’. However, Kelly labeled the remarks as “condescending” and “fake”, sparking a social media firestorm.

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The Rookie of the Year addressed the backlash during a panel at A Year in Time in New York City. Speaking with NBC Sports’ Maria Taylor, Clark reiterated her commitment to uplifting the legacy of Black women in the WNBA, while also affirming her unfazed reaction to the criticism from Kelly.

I know that there’s been so many amazing Black women that have been in this league, and continuing to uplift them is very important and that’s something I’m very aware of… I think I’m very comfortable in my own skin and that’s kind of been how it is my entire life…One of my best skills is just blocking things out.

Caitlin Clark said
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Clark explained that her perspective comes from an understanding of the WNBA’s history and the trailblazing Black women who laid its foundation, citing the legendary Maya Moore as one of her early inspirations. She stressed the importance of remaining authentic and focusing on the opinions of those closest to her—teammates, coaches, and loved ones, despite criticism over her ‘privilege’.