NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has some strong advice for Caitlin Clark as the Indiana Fever star continues to navigate the ups and downs of her WNBA career.
Clark continues to thrive with the Fever this season. She's averaging 21.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, establishing herself as an MVP contender. She's fourth in the league in scoring and second in assists.
Amid a big year, however, controversy has also followed Clark. In fact, in June, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas hit the Fever guard in the throat area during a game, sparking discussions about the highly physical treatment of her.
For those unaware, Clark has been on the receiving end of several concerning hits, such as a hip-check Chennedy Carter in her rookie season, as well as a shove by Marina Mabrey and an eye-poke by Jacy Sheldon in her second year.
Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
According to Shaq, WNBA players feel "professional jealousy" toward Clark since she's really popular. However, the NBA legend emphasized that it's a "rite of passage" that all basketball greats had to go through in their respective careers.
"There's girls that are going, 'You don't talk about me like that, you talk about her,'" O'Neal told FOX News. "You gotta take advantage of that opportunity. You have to go at who they think the best is. If you got other people coming at her, then it is what it is. Once she gets through this next year and keeps playing the way she's playing, they'll have no choice but to love and accept it. But this is what we call rites of passage. We don't just let youngsters come in and take over because they're getting all the props from the media."
O'Neal proceeded to advise Clark to be more like her 2024 WNBA Draft classmate and now Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese when it comes to her approach to the game. According to Shaq, the Fever playmaker needs to show others that she's not scared.
"Caitlin's a tough cookie. She'll be able to get over it. Angel's throwing 'bows, talking smack, letting everyone know, 'I'm not scared.' Caitlin's probably gotta do a little more of that."
For what it's worth, O'Neal said the same thing in another interview with CNBC, pointing out that Clark "needs to toughen up" and "take those licks."
"All the greats have to go through what we call rites of passage. She's a fabulous player, but we're not giving you anything, ever. You have to earn it," O’Neal stated. "So for her, she needs to toughen up, take those licks, and show them that, 'These licks don't bother me.'"
