Way before Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese declared for the WNBA, legend of the game Sheryl Swoopes suggested that the rookies will find it tough against grown women—women who have been playing in the league for a long time and will fight for their jobs. Fast forward to today, and Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman feels something else is happening.
She was a guest on The Dan Patrick Show to talk about the WNBA season and all the storylines surrounding it. When asked about how the rookies are faring against the established superstars, she said:
I hope that the great players in the league right now…….I want them to continue to shine with A’ja and some of the other players. But these rookies they don’t want to be labeled rookies. They’re ballers. They’re coming after you, they’re coming for your job, they want guaranteed contracts, they want to have long term success and make a lot of money.
Nancy Lieberman on WNBA rookies
Lieberman essentially contradicted what Sheryl Swoopes said when the likes of Clark and Reese were in college. She is clear that the dynamic in the WNBA has changed.
Her comments suggest that she understands these rookies are not taking the game as it comes. Instead, they are working hard to elevate their own play. That subsequently translates to a higher level of competition in the WNBA. It is evident with how Caitlin Clark has been playing in the second half of the season.
“These rookies they don’t want to be labeled rookies. They’re ballers. They’re coming after you, they’re coming for your job, they want guaranteed contracts, they want to have long term success, and make a lot of money.”
–@NancyLieberman on the impact the #WNBA rookies have had pic.twitter.com/kMMrPmq8pR
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) September 6, 2024
It has also been proved by how Angel Reese has been playing since the last few games. They are putting up records and filling up the stat sheets. That has elevated them to be equal to or better than many established players. The next set of WNBA rookies will make it even more apparent.
Golden generation of college women’s basketball players could help transcend the WNBA
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are just the first set of superstar players coming from college basketball. Their own fellow rookies Kamilla Cardoso and the injured Cameron Brink have helped improve competitiveness. But this is just the start, as the next four years at least, have elite prospects coming through.
Next year will be highlighted by Paige Bueckers. But the years after that the likes of Flau’Jae Johnson, JuJu Watkins, Me’Arah O’Neal are sure to bring in the excitement of college basketball to the pro. These are just a few to name. What Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have started will go a long way in transforming the league.
The change has not just been set into motion in terms of play. The league has seen unprecedented hike in terms of viewership, popularity and jersey sales. The Resse-Clark rivalry has been even likened to NBA’s iconic rivalries from the past including that of the Magic Johnson–Larry Bird era.
But as Nancy Lieberman said, the older guard have to elevate their play. Else, they might find it difficult to stick around with the new generation of talent streaming through. Safe to say, the WNBA is setup for exciting times ahead.
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