At the ESPYs in Los Angeles on Thursday night, Serena Williams took the stage as host, and she didn’t hesitate to acknowledge Caitlin Clark’s remarkable achievements in her opening monologue. Clark, the WNBA rookie phenom, received three nominations, and Williams praised her accomplishments, likening her to the legendary basketball player Larry Bird. But she also injected a dose of humor into the evening, making a lighthearted jab about Clark’s popularity with white fans.
“Caitlin Clark has had an incredible year, and she’s up for three awards. Caitlin, you’re an amazing player, with ties to Indiana, and white people are really, really crazy about you,” Williams said, earning a hearty laugh from the audience. Her comment was met with a mixture of amusement and applause, highlighting the undeniable talent and charm of the 19-year-old sensation.
In an interview with the Associated Press last month, Williams praised Clark’s ability to stay grounded and ignore the negativity that comes with her rapid rise to stardom. “I get it, I don’t either, and I think it’s so important to continue doing what she’s doing,” Williams said. “No matter what other people do, if people are negative, it’s because they can’t do what you do, basically. Hopefully, she’ll continue to do what she’s doing.”
Clark, in turn, has taken Williams’ advice to heart, with her offense exploding over the past month. In an incredible display of dominance last weekend, she became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double, a feat she surpassed just three nights later with a record-breaking stat line: 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five 3-pointers, five steals, and three blocks.
While Clark ultimately didn’t take home the Women’s Athlete of the Year Award, which went to Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson, she did claim the record-breaking performance award for clinching the NCAA’s top spot in all-time scoring and as the best college athlete.
