SHAQ BREAKS SILENCE ON CAITLIN CLARK: WHY THE LEGEND COULDN’T DENY HER GREATNESS ANY LONGER—BUT STILL COULDN’T LET GO OF ANGEL REESE

When Caitlin Clark was named Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024, the sports world erupted with celebration, debate, and more than a little controversy. Headlines blazed. Commentators buzzed. Fans cheered—and critics emerged. But for one man known for never holding back, there was silence.

Shaquille O’Neal, NBA legend, media powerhouse, and mentor to rising WNBA star Angel Reese, said nothing.

That silence finally broke.

And when Shaq spoke, it wasn’t just a congratulations—it was a masterclass in subtle favoritism, quiet defensiveness, and a reluctant but undeniable acknowledgment of a young woman who is reshaping basketball before our very eyes.

“Congratulations to her… she’s a fabulous player.”

Shaq’s words during an interview with TMZ seemed polite, even gracious at first glance. But anyone familiar with the Big Diesel’s history in sports commentary knows he rarely minces words. So why the soft tone now?

Because Caitlin Clark forced his hand.

Her performance on the court has been nothing short of revolutionary. Her rookie season with the Indiana Fever is already one of the most influential in WNBA history. Records shattered. Attendance records broken. Television viewership skyrocketed. Merchandise flying off the shelves.

And then came the Time Magazine cover. Athlete of the Year. Not just in the WNBA. Not just in women’s sports. Period.

It was a cultural moment no one—least of all Shaq—could ignore.

But then, Shaq pivoted. As quickly as he acknowledged Clark, he shifted the spotlight.

“But you know, my girl Angel definitely brought a lot of publicity to the WNBA too.”

There it was.

The subtle redirection. A reminder to the public that Angel Reese, his protégé and Clark’s college rival, also played a role in the league’s popularity boom.

No one denies that Angel Reese is a star. Her charisma, bold personality, and dominance under the rim have made her a fan favorite. But the numbers don’t lie: Caitlin Clark is the engine behind the WNBA’s meteoric rise in 2024.

Ticket Sales Don’t Lie

The Indiana Fever, thanks to Clark, are playing in front of sold-out arenas. Their games are setting broadcast records, with even preseason matchups drawing millions of viewers. The Chicago Sky, where Reese plays? They’re popular—but not Clark level popular.

Shaq’s insistence on lumping them together may come from a place of loyalty, but it downplays what Clark is doing. She’s not just a great rookie. She’s a once-in-a-generation talent. And she’s bringing everyone up with her—including Reese.

And Shaq knows it.

Which is why, after his detour into Reese advocacy, he went broader.

“But we can’t forget all the other WNBA greats. A’ja, Sabrina, Taurasi…”

This move—listing the league’s biggest names—was an attempt to frame the Clark moment as just one part of a broader movement. But ironically, Shaq’s own words showed the opposite.

The reason those other stars are getting more recognition now is because of Caitlin Clark.

Clark’s popularity isn’t overshadowing the league—it’s illuminating it.

Caitlin Clark: The Unselfish Superstar

Clark herself has gone out of her way to give credit where it’s due. During her acceptance speech for the Time honor, she specifically thanked and uplifted her fellow players. She highlighted Black women’s contributions to the game and paid tribute to the trailblazers who came before her.

She didn’t have to.

But she did.

Because Caitlin Clark doesn’t just want the spotlight—she wants to share it.

That’s what makes some of the criticism so bizarre. It’s not Clark who’s trying to erase other players. It’s her critics, like Shaq, who seem unable to acknowledge her success without adding an asterisk or a “but.”

Still, Shaq couldn’t help but push the conversation into even stranger territory.

“They play much harder than the men… play better than the men.”

It was a bold claim—and one that raised eyebrows. Coming from an NBA Hall-of-Famer who once prided himself on dominating a brutally physical league, Shaq’s sudden pivot to saying the WNBA is better than the NBA felt… performative.

Why now?

Why say that right after Caitlin Clark’s biggest moment?

The answer may be simple: attention.

Shaq, by his own admission, loves stirring the pot.

“I stirred some controversy, but it wasn’t really controversy… I am a revenue-driven person.”

Translation: Shaq knows how to keep his name in the headlines. Controversial takes create clicks—and nothing is more controversial than suggesting the WNBA is outperforming the NBA.

But even as he stirred the pot, Shaq revealed a contradiction.

He went on to suggest the WNBA should lower the rims to allow players to dunk more, a move he argued would improve entertainment value and revenue.

“When you watch women’s volleyball and men’s, the net is lowered a little. So if you lower the rim a bit so the ladies can dunk, it would help them make more money.”

But again, this change would benefit some players more than others.

Namely? Angel Reese.

Reese’s game thrives in the paint. A lower rim would amplify her skill set. Clark, on the other hand, doesn’t need the rim adjusted. Her power lies in her deep three-point shooting, often from near the logo.

She’s redefining what’s possible at any level of basketball. Changing the court won’t help her. It’s not needed.

Is Shaq Advocating for the League—or Just Angel?

That’s the question that lingers. Because every time Clark takes a step forward, Shaq seems to pull her back just a little—to remind the world of Angel Reese.

And yet, in rare moments, the mask slips.

During an episode of Reese’s own podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Shaq praised Clark in ways that even Reese couldn’t deny—though she tried.

“She can shoot threes from the logo.”

Reese’s words were laced with passive admiration, maybe even a little jealousy. But Shaq went further.

“Why you think people love Caitlin Clark? Besides her skills? She can shoot threes from the logo—we’ve never seen that before.”

He compared her to Steph Curry—not just in ability, but in cultural impact.

“I love Steph Curry because I’ve never seen that before. And Caitlin’s doing the same thing.”

Shaq couldn’t deny it. She’s doing what no WNBA player has done before. And when he attended a Fever vs. Sky game in person, Clark put on a performance that made his earlier silence untenable.

31 points. 5 three-pointers. 12 assists. All on just 14 shots.

It wasn’t a game. It was a statement.

A statement not just to the Sky—but to the critics. To the doubters. And yes, to Shaq.

Final Thoughts: The Reluctant Praise of a Basketball Giant

Shaquille O’Neal is a legend. His voice carries weight. And his support for Angel Reese is noble—she deserves mentorship, protection, and advocacy.

But when he talks about Caitlin Clark, his words are laced with hesitation. Praise tempered by caveats. Compliments smothered in qualifiers.

And yet, he still can’t help but acknowledge the truth.

Caitlin Clark is doing something never seen before. She is bringing a new wave of fans to the WNBA. She is redefining the game.

And even Shaq—mentor, mogul, media master—can’t deny it anymore.

No matter how much he tries to share the spotlight, Caitlin Clark owns it.

And the world is finally watching.