"LeBron came out of highschool" "D1 glazer": Fans call cap on analyst comparing Caitlin Clark's WNBA hype train to Lakers star

By Sahir Bhojwani

Modified Sep 03, 2024 18:34 GMT

Well-known analyst Shannon Sharpe made an interesting Caitlin Clark-Lebron James comparison this week. On "First Take," Sharpe argued that the fanfare and hype surrounding the WNBA rookie is on par with that of LeBron James when he entered the NBA in 2003.

Sharpe believes no WNBA basketball player has ever garnered the attention and stirred up a frenzy the way Clark has.

"As far as box office...she is basically the LeBron James. The kind of hype that LeBron came into the NBA with, Caitlin Clark came to the WNBA with the same type of hype. And she has backed it up," said Sharpe

However, Sharpe is receiving backlash on social media, with fans ridiculing his latest take:

"Bruh Lebron came out of high school lol she had to do 4 years in college lol the hype was not the same!" stated one fan.

"D1 glazer right here," commented another.

Fans comments on Shannon Sharpe's recent comments comparing Clark to James. Image credit: First Take's IG account

"Clark in the same breath as LeBron…,sheesh!" said a fan.

"Unk you acting like NEPHEW with this take family," commented another fan.

Fans comments on Shannon Sharpe's recent comments comparing Clark to James. Image credit: First Take's IG account

"I'm with you when you’re right but you miss this with flying colors," said one fan.

"Dear god!!! Stop!!!!!" asked another fan.

Fans comments on Shannon Sharpe's recent comments comparing Clark to James. Image credit: First Take's IG account

Few players have had the same immediate influence on their respective leagues as LeBron James and Caitlin Clark. Both were first overall picks in their respective draft classes, and both faced high expectations even before making their professional debuts.

Caitlin Clark is looking to match LeBron James achievement of winning the Rookie of the Year Award

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark walks off the court after the game against the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

LeBron James was just 18 years and 303 days old when he made his NBA debut. He won the Rookie of the Year in 2004. Caitlin Clark hopes to follow in the footsteps of the LA Lakers superstar. She remains the favorite for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award after a series of strong displays late in the season.

Clark is averaging 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. She leads the league in assists per game with 8.4 and broke the WNBA single-game assist record earlier this year after recording 19 assists against the Dallas Wings on July 17.

Clark is also the only rookie in league history to secure a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds against the New York Liberty on July 6.