LeBron James on WNBA star rookie Caitlin Clark being criticized

Interest in the WNBA has never been higher than it is right now, and a major reason is the arrival of Caitlin Clark.

Clark, who became the all-time leading scorer in Division I college basketball history among both men and women just a few months ago, is hoping to make the Indiana Fever a winning team. She’s off to a somewhat rocky start as a pro, especially since the Fever have lost each of their first four games this season.

Along the way, Caitlin has had to endure some criticism. Some feel she has been overhyped, and a few people have even claimed she’s getting the attention she’s receiving only because she is Caucasian.

But LeBron James feels that criticism is unwarranted. While on his “Mind the Game” podcast, he told co-host JJ Redick that he’s hoping Clark does extremely well and silences all of her haters.

Clark’s impact on the league is already immense. Coverage of this year’s WNBA draft got immense ratings, and ratings for this season’s opening doubleheader on ABC were much higher compared to last season.

Via sportsnaut.com:

In addition, players across the league now enjoy chartered flights just like their male counterparts have for about 30 years, an improvement that has widely been credited to the presence of Clark.

Perhaps the biggest impact she and her colleagues will have due to the WNBA’s skyrocketing popularity is the inspiration they will provide to young girls across the nation who will now have the belief and inspiration to chase their dreams.

Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire