In a sport built on legacy, few voices carry as much weight as Nancy Lieberman’s. The Hall of Famer, pioneer, and longtime advocate for women’s basketball rarely minces words, but her recent declaration has sent shockwaves through the WNBA and beyond. In a candid interview with TMZ Sports on July 13, Lieberman boldly proclaimed Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark as “the greatest guard in WNBA history,” igniting a firestorm of debate and reflection throughout the basketball world.

But Lieberman’s comments didn’t stop at praise. She also took direct aim at what she perceives as a culture of jealousy and underappreciation within the league, arguing that Clark’s record-breaking achievements have been overshadowed by rivals more intent on undermining her than celebrating the game’s evolution.

A Star Like No Other

Caitlin Clark, now 23 and in her sophomore WNBA season, has become the face of a new era for women’s basketball. Drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024 after a legendary collegiate career at Iowa, Clark’s transition to the pros has been nothing short of meteoric. Her rookie year saw her claim the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, break single-season and single-game assist records, and even notch the first triple-double by a rookie in league history.

The “Caitlin Clark effect” is real: TV ratings have soared, arenas are selling out, and the league’s visibility has never been higher. Even as she’s battled injuries—a quad strain and groin issues that sidelined her for 11 games in 2025—Clark continues to average 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, numbers that place her among the league’s elite.

Lieberman’s Bold Declaration

For Lieberman, who played professionally in the WNBA’s early days and remains one of the sport’s most respected analysts, Clark’s impact is both statistical and cultural.

“She’s the best guard in the league right now. Her numbers have proven it. Her game has proven it,” Lieberman asserted. “She’s doing for women’s basketball what Michael Jordan did for the NBA and Tiger Woods did for golf. If she happens to be the cash cow right now, embrace it. Don’t be petty.”

Lieberman pointed to the clear evidence: Clark’s star power has led to chartered flights, increased salaries, and improved television deals for the entire league. “She’s not just changing the game on the court—she’s changing the business of the WNBA,” Lieberman said.

Controversy Over Recognition

Despite her accomplishments, Clark has faced a curious lack of recognition from her peers. The most glaring example came during the 2025 WNBA All-Star voting, where, despite garnering a record 1.3 million fan votes, she was ranked just ninth among guards by her fellow players. The snub sparked heated debate across sports media.

Dick Vitale, the legendary basketball commentator, called the player vote “pure jealousy.” Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III echoed the sentiment, arguing that Clark’s low ranking reflected resentment rather than an honest assessment of her contributions.

Lieberman was more direct: “The league should be embracing her, not trying to tear her down. This is the moment to grow the game together.”

A League Wrestling With Its Identity

The controversy surrounding Clark’s All-Star ranking is symptomatic of a larger tension within the WNBA. As Clark and other young stars like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart draw unprecedented attention, the league is grappling with how to balance individual stardom and collective success.

Lieberman drew parallels to the NBA’s “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, who famously devised special defensive schemes to stop Michael Jordan. “This is what Caitlin Clark is. Don’t hate her. Compete with her, celebrate her, and let the game rise,” she urged.

She also called on the women’s basketball community to support each other, noting, “We need to celebrate each other and lift each other up. That’s how the league gets better.”

Not Everyone Agrees

Not all criticism of Clark’s All-Star ranking points to jealousy. Some analysts, like USA TODAY’s Nancy Armour, suggest that Clark’s ninth-place ranking could reflect her on-court performance amid a challenging, injury-plagued second season. Clark currently leads the league in turnovers at 5.9 per game, and her missed time may have influenced her peers’ votes.

Still, her statistical dominance is difficult to dispute: she ranks second in assists and 11th in scoring (if qualified), reinforcing Lieberman’s argument that Clark is already among the league’s elite.

Feuds and Friction

Lieberman’s outspoken defense of Clark also comes against the backdrop of her own public feud with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. The two clashed in 2024 over Swoopes’ comments about Clark’s college scoring record, with Swoopes suggesting Clark benefited from an extra COVID year. Lieberman attempted to correct Swoopes privately, but the disagreement spilled into the public eye, ending a longtime friendship and adding fuel to the debate over Clark’s place in the game.

Swoopes has since defended her position, but the rift between two of the sport’s icons has only heightened scrutiny of how the women’s basketball community treats its brightest stars.

Clark’s Resilience Amid Adversity

Clark’s absence from the 2025 All-Star Weekend due to her groin injury was another blow, both for her personally and for fans eager to see her compete on the league’s biggest stage. Lieberman, speaking from a Dallas youth basketball camp, sent a heartfelt video message: “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.”

Fever coach Stephanie White echoed the need for rest, emphasizing that Clark’s long-term health is essential for both her career and the league’s future.

A Generational Shift in Women’s Basketball

Despite the controversies, Clark’s influence is undeniable. Her college career at Iowa—where she set the NCAA Division I all-time scoring record and won three Nancy Lieberman Awards—laid the foundation for her professional stardom. Comparisons to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, as noted by Cheryl Miller, highlight both her talent and her marketability.

Miller, however, cautioned against framing women’s rivalries as negative drama, suggesting that the Clark-Reese rivalry could be celebrated as “great theater” rather than dismissed as pettiness.

Looking Ahead

As the WNBA enters the second half of the 2025 season, Clark’s return from injury will be pivotal for the Fever, who are fighting for playoff positioning. Lieberman’s challenge to the league and its players is clear: “Just go out and ball. Embrace what Caitlin brings. The league is bigger and better for it.”

Whether or not the WNBA fully embraces Clark as its “cash cow,” her impact—on and off the court—is already rewriting the narrative for women’s basketball.Nancy Lieberman’s declaration of Caitlin Clark as the greatest guard in WNBA history has ignited debate, exposed divisions, and forced a reckoning within the league. As Clark continues to break barriers and redefine what’s possible, her journey is about more than statistics—it’s about a generational shift in the sport’s popularity, visibility, and unity.

For the WNBA, the message is clear: the future is here, and it’s time to celebrate it.