In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman made headlines by declaring Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark the greatest guard in WNBA history. Lieberman’s bold statement, delivered on July 13, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion across the basketball community, with the 67-year-old legend urging WNBA players to “embrace” Clark’s transformative impact on the league rather than succumbing to jealousy. Lieberman’s comments come in the wake of Clark’s controversial ninth-place ranking among guards in the WNBA All-Star player vote, despite her record-breaking 1.3 million fan votes for the 2025 All-Star Game.

Caitlin Clark, the 23-year-old Indiana Fever guard, has taken the WNBA by storm since being selected first overall in the 2024 draft. Her meteoric rise, often dubbed the “Caitlin Clark effect,” has significantly boosted the league’s visibility, with record viewership numbers and sold-out arenas attributed to her star power. In her rookie season, Clark won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, set single-season and single-game assist records, and became the first rookie to record a triple-double. Despite battling injuries in her second season, including a quad strain and groin injuries that sidelined her for 11 games, Clark continues to excel, averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game in 2025.

Lieberman, a pioneer in women’s basketball who played in the WNBA during its early years, emphasized Clark’s unparalleled contribution to the sport. “She’s the best guard in the league right now. Her numbers have proven it. Her game has proven it,” Lieberman stated, comparing Clark’s impact to that of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods in their respective sports. She argued that Clark’s ability to draw massive audiences and generate revenue—evidenced by chartered flights, increased salaries, and improved TV ratings—should be celebrated rather than met with resentment. “If she happens to be the cash cow right now, embrace it. Don’t be petty,” Lieberman urged, addressing what she perceives as jealousy among Clark’s peers.

The controversy stems from the 2025 WNBA All-Star voting, where Clark, despite leading fan votes by a record-setting margin, was ranked ninth among guards by her fellow players. This discrepancy has fueled debates about whether Clark is being unfairly targeted due to her rapid rise to fame. Basketball legend Dick Vitale called the player vote “pure jealousy,” arguing that Clark’s contributions to the league’s growth are undeniable. Similarly, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III criticized the low ranking, stating, “Some WNBA players are letting their jealousy of Caitlin Clark get in the way of greatness for the entire WNBA.”

Lieberman’s comments also highlight a broader narrative about the treatment of Clark within the league. She pointed to the example of the “Bad Boys” era Detroit Pistons, who had special rules for defending Michael Jordan, and suggested that Clark faces similar challenges. “This is what Caitlin Clark is. Don’t hate her,” Lieberman said, imploring players to focus on competition rather than rivalry. She praised other WNBA stars like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart, urging them to “celebrate each other” and elevate the game collectively.

However, not all reactions to Clark’s ranking suggest jealousy. Some analysts, including USA TODAY’s Nancy Armour, argue that Clark’s ninth-place ranking could reflect her performance in a challenging second season, marked by injuries and high turnover rates. Clark’s 5.9 turnovers per game lead the league, and her absence in several games due to a quad strain and groin injuries may have influenced her peers’ votes. Despite these setbacks, Clark’s statistical dominance—ranking second in assists and 11th in scoring if qualified—underscores her elite status.

Lieberman’s outspoken support for Clark also comes amid her own publicized feud with fellow WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. In September 2024, Swoopes faced backlash for inaccurate comments about Clark’s college career, suggesting she benefited from an extra COVID year to break scoring records. Lieberman, who attempted to correct Swoopes privately, later stated on The Stephen A. Smith Show that their friendship was “pretty much done” due to the disagreement. Swoopes responded on social media, denying Lieberman’s account of their conversation and defending her stance on Clark. This rift between two basketball icons has added fuel to the ongoing debate about Clark’s reception in the WNBA.

Clark’s absence from the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, due to a groin injury sustained during a game against the Connecticut Sun, further highlighted her challenges this season. Lieberman sent a heartfelt video message to Clark from a Dallas youth basketball camp, praising her character and impact. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for the game. You’re epic as a basketball player, but we’re praying that you will heal quickly,” Lieberman said. The injury, which forced Clark to miss the three-point contest and the All-Star Game, has raised concerns about her long-term health, with Fever coach Stephanie White noting the need for rest to ensure Clark’s durability.

Despite the controversies, Clark remains a polarizing yet undeniable force in the WNBA. Her college career at Iowa, where she became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer with 3,951 points and won the Nancy Lieberman Award three times as the top point guard, set the stage for her professional dominance. Her ability to draw comparisons to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, as noted by Cheryl Miller, underscores her unique talent and marketability. However, Miller also pointed out the media’s tendency to frame women’s rivalries negatively, suggesting that Clark’s rivalry with Angel Reese could be celebrated as “great theater” rather than petty jealousy.

As the WNBA heads into the second half of the 2025 season, Clark’s impact continues to reshape the league. With the Fever holding a 12-11 record and pushing for playoff positioning, her return from injury will be crucial. Lieberman’s call to “just go out and ball” resonates as a challenge to Clark’s peers to rise to her level of play and embrace the opportunities her stardom creates. Whether the WNBA fully embraces Clark as its “cash cow” remains to be seen, but her influence—both on and off the court—is undeniable.

In conclusion, Nancy Lieberman’s declaration of Caitlin Clark as the greatest WNBA guard of all time has ignited a firestorm of debate, highlighting the tension between Clark’s individual brilliance and the collective dynamics of the league. As Clark navigates injuries and criticism, her resilience and talent continue to redefine women’s basketball, proving that her impact transcends statistics and speaks to a generational shift in the sport’s popularity.