Paige Spiranac Comes to Defense of Caitlin Clark Amid Backlash

Not all women's basketball stars are impressed with Clark's work.

Caitlin Clark has been one of the biggest stars of this year's college basketball season. She set an all-time scoring record for the NCAA and took the University of Iowa Hawkeyes to the championship game of the March Madness tournament for the second year in a row. And now, she's headed to the WNBA draft after an incredible final year in school.

But unfortunately, that hasn't spared her from criticism throughout the season. 

WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, for example, recently found herself in hot water after she insinuated that Clark looks "superhuman" now because she's playing against college athletes but will have a much harder time in the WNBA. Sheryl Swoopes mistakenly said Clark was in her fifth year of school when she was in her fourth.

Then, former UConn player Breanna Stewart claimed Clark couldn't be the GOAT without a national title. Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Lynette Woodard, who previously held the NCAA scoring record, believes Clark's use of three-pointers meant she didn't actually break the nearly 50-year-old record. 

However, Clark has a fan in Paige Spiranac, who has not been immune to unfair criticism herself. The golfer and social media influencer shared her support for the top draft prospect and her thoughts on the recent criticism on X. 

"The hate towards Caitlin Clark from current and former players is disappointing but not surprising," Spiranac wrote. "Women can be absolutely vicious to other women while also preaching empowering the next generation. I’ve seen it firsthand but we must remember a rising tide lifts all boats."

The hate towards Caitlin Clark from current and former players is disappointing but not surprising. Women can be absolutely vicious to other women while also preaching empowering the next generation. I’ve seen it first hand but we must remember a rising tide lifts all boats

— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) April 8, 2024

Clark, for her part, has managed to brush off any negative attention that's come her way. For now, she's focused on the WNBA draft on April 15 and possibly taking Ice Cube up on a $5 million offer.