The Cavinder twins, Haley and Hanna, have expressed their admiration for Caitlin Clark's contributions to women's basketball. They acknowledge her significant impact on the growth and popularity of the sport, particularly in the WNBA. Despite some controversy surrounding discussions of race in relation to Clark's success, the twins emphasize that her talent and accomplishments should be celebrated without detracting from the achievements of Black and brown women in basketball.
The influence of Caitlin Clark, the former Iowa star and current Indiana Fever guard, on the WNBA and the overall growth of women's basketball has been a topic of heated debate. However, for Haley and Hanna Cavinder, the University of Miami women's basketball stars, there is no question about Clark's positive impact.
"She's a once-in-a-lifetime player," Haley Cavinder stated during an appearance on OutKick's "Hot Mic." "What she's done for the game over the last year is insanely good for women's basketball."
The Cavinder twins believe that Clark's exceptional talent and captivating playing style have attracted a wider audience to the WNBA. They credit her with increasing viewership and revenue, which they see as a positive sign for the future of the sport.
"She's fun to watch," Haley Cavinder continued. "Everyone wants to watch her. I think she's amazing, and that's why people want to watch. And that's what grows the game."
Some have questioned whether Clark's popularity is primarily driven by her race. Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson recently suggested that her success could be attributed to her whiteness. While Becky Hammon, Wilson's coach, later clarified that she was not implying that Black and brown women were criticizing Clark, she emphasized the need to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements as well.
"It's construed as some of our minority Black and brown women are hating on her because she's white, and that is not the case," Hammon said. "Give her her flowers. She's done stuff that no man or woman, Black or White, has ever done in college basketball. Give that woman her flowers."
Despite the controversy, Clark's impact on the WNBA is undeniable. Her pro debut was the most-watched WNBA game since 2001, and she has starred in some of the most-watched women's NCAA games ever.
"It's not about Caitlin," Hammon added. "What it does is, it has highlighted how Black and brown greatness has not been celebrated or valued as much. That's what I was talking about."
The Cavinder twins, who are entering their fifth and final year of eligibility at Miami, believe that the focus should remain on Clark's accomplishments and the positive impact she has had on women's basketball. They see her as a role model who inspires young players and helps to break down barriers.
"This is my job," Clark said ahead of her Fever debut. "My job is to compete and play basketball every single day. I think the more attention we can get on every team around this league, that's only going to help me get better and better."
As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, the contributions of players like Caitlin Clark will be crucial. Her exceptional talent and ability to connect with fans have helped to elevate the sport and inspire a new generation of women athletes.
