Caitlin Clark gets backing from WNBA star over controversial NBA decision

Los Angeles Sparks star Cameron Brink has backed Caitlin Clark over her decision not to appear during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Clark, the Indiana Fever player, declined the opportunity to participate in a three-point contest during the event. Her representatives said the point guard would rather her first three-point contest come at the WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.

Last year, New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu took on Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, in the shooting challenge. She lost to Curry 29 points to 26.

Each shot made by either of the players in the challenge triggered a donation to the NBA Foundation from State Farm, with the aim of supporting economic empowerment in the Black Community.

Brink said this week that Clark, 23, made the right decision to turn the NBA invitation down. Telling the Straight to Cam digital series, she said: “So recently, my good friend, Caitlin Clark, denied an NBA All-Star invite, which I’m like good for her.

“Last year, Sabrina and Steph had a little shootout and it was very close. And there was a lot of debate around that. I remember a lot like Sabrina’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever been around. So I was not shocked when it was so close,” Brink, 23, added.

Discussing last year’s challenge between Ionescu and Curry, Brunk said: “They were saying all the things that men say, that she should have shot with the men’s ball, she should have shot at the men’s three-point line. I’m like, no, [Ionescu] just barely lost.”

Brink said that Clark doesn’t “need to do it” and also wondered why an NBA player couldn’t come to the WNBA. The NBA All-Star weekend will run from February 14th to February 16th in San Francisco, while the WNBA event will be held July 18th and 19th in Indianapolis.

After last year’s event, Curry said: “For us to deliver a show like that, it was perfect. As much excitement as you can build in that short amount of time with two great shooters going at it. This is something we’ll remember for a long time.”

Ionescu added: “This was so authentic for the both of us to be able to be here, finally not in a closed gym, shooting in front of everyone watching and understanding what it means for ourselves but also the bigger picture.” She had previously beaten Curry in a H-O-R-S-E competition that was not televised.

Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 draft. She picked up the award for WNBA Rookie of the Year in her first season and made the All-WNBA First Team and WNBA All-Star Game.

The point guard, whose influence on raising the popularity levels of women’s basketball is known as the “Caitlin Clark effect”, was named Athlete of the Year by Time magazine in December. She was also dubbed Female Athlete of the Year by AP.

In an interview with Time, Clark said: “I’ve been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women’s sports, let alone women’s basketball, and turn them into fans.” She added: “People are invested in the game, they love the game, and that’s what makes it so fun for me. These people aren’t supporting women’s sports to check a box. It’s going to be the new normal.”