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Everything we know about the alleged beef between Caitlin Clark and Sheryl Swoopes

The Sheryl Swoopes and Caitlin Clark discourse is escalating quickly, and the conversation is now reaching new depths.

Swoopes made headlines for recent comments on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese transitioning to the WNBA and Clark’s quest to break Kelsey Plum’s scoring record. Since that moment, the internet has been in shambles, and conversations in numerous hoops circles reached clothing, including “Don’t be a Sheryl” shirts.

The supposed beef has created additional tension among basketball fans, prompting the question: How did we get here?

Here’s everything we know about the swirling chaos surrounding Caitlin Clark and Sheryl Swoopes:

In April 2023, Clark broke Sheryl Swoopes' NCAA single tournament scoring record

On April 2, 2023, Caitlin Clark set the NCAA single tournament record with 191 points, bypassing Sheryl Swoopes, who held the record since 1993, with 177 points.

After her historic day, Swoopes was asked what she thought of Clark breaking the record. Swoopes mentioned that she did it in fewer games, but acknowledged that Clark was a baller.

In February 2024, Swoopes was asked about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on the "Gil's Arena" podcast

Swoopes is considered WNBA royalty, and when you’ve hooped that much in your career, you’re likely going to get asked about up-and-coming hoopers like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

Swoopes said that she thought both players would have a tough transition to the WNBA. Those comments quickly flooded social media, forcing Swoopes to respond and clear the air.

More parts of the podcast went viral and basketball fans dug into Swoopes' stance

With such head-turning comments from Swoopes, basketball fans went digging for the full interview. They uncovered that Swoopes inaccurately assessed Clark’s current journey to break Kelsey Plum’s scoring record. Swoopes said that Clark has played for five years and that she didn’t really respect the way Clark was breaking the record because it wasn’t in the four-year timeframe that Plum did it.

Neither of those statements are true, and Swoopes later corrected herself after being informed of the correct information (See the 2:09:08 mark of the video below). Swoopes also inaccurately said that Clark takes 40 shots a game before finishing by saying that Clark and Reese will both be successful and bring fans to the WNBA who are not there now.

However, the internet was already abuzz over her words. Within days, the Iowa women’s basketball team responded, and so did a mountain of basketball fans.

Iowa fans decided to wear their thoughts on their shirts

Hoops fans across social media have continued the Clark and Swoopes dialogue, calling out Swoopes in the process and discussing whether or not she was correct in her assessment.

That’s when several Iowa basketball fans decided to express their stance with custom “Don’t be a Sheryl” shirts. Hoops fans immediately ripped them for it.

The shirts even prompted a subtle reaction from Caitlin Clark, who seemingly doesn't endorse them

Several hoops fans and media personalities jumped in to explain why, even if fans disagree with Swoopes, the shirts are a problem. Media personality and women’s sports advocate Ari Chambers crafted a response that got the attention of many, including Caitlin Clark.

Chambers typed out several tweets about how the shirts speak to much more significant issues in basketball, specifically for women of color. Chambers later ended her thoughts with a tweet saying that Clark respects Swoopes and just wants to play her game.

Caitlin Clark seemingly agreed and liked the tweet.

On February 9, Angel Reese tweeted out how she wants to be like Swoopes and Swoopes responded with praise for Reese

Angel Reese tweeted her support for the Hall of Famer in response to the Iowa fan t-shirts aimed at Swoopes.

Swoopes, who has since locked her Twitter account and changed her profile picture, responded to Reese with a compliment.

 

In response to the viral "Don't be a Sheryl" shirts, other hoops fans created "Be A Sheryl" shirts voicing their support for Swoopes

As the “Don’t be a Sheryl” shirts spread through social media, other hoops fans responded with “Be A Sheryl” t-shirts. The shirts list several of Swoopes’ top accolades.

It’s also worth noting that Swoopes changed her profile picture again to one that shows off some of those accomplishments, like a WNBA championship.

On February 11, ESPN's Holly Rowe posted facts about Caitlin Clark, seemingly reinforcing what the Iowa social media team tweeted days before

Dawn Staley was asked about Rickea Jackson's game and compared her to Sheryl Swoopes. Jackson heard this and responded by reiterating that she should "Be A Sheryl", a nod to fan-created shirts.

As of February 18, Swoopes has apologized to Clark and was seen taking photos with Angel Reese

Sheryl Swoopes says she had recent conversations with both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark and has apologized to Clark. Swoopes made the revelation during a recent women’s basketball broadcast between Baylor and Texas-Tech and was even spotted connecting with Reese after an LSU matchup on February 19.

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