Charles Barkley calls out unnamed women over "petty and jealous" behavior toward Caitlin Clark

By Ethen Hutton

Modified Sep 04, 2024 15:11 GMT

Caitlin Clark has dominated in the WNBA throughout her historic rookie campaign. Clark's immense popularity has brought an abundance of new eyes to the WNBA and the Indiana Fever, but it's come with a cost.

At this point in the WNBA season, 17% percent of the WNBA's technical fouls in the 2024 season have been committed against Clark. This stat has left many to believe other players around the league are envious of her popularity.

NBA legend Charles Barkley shares this opinion and spoke about other players being jealous of Clark on Wednesday morning on "The Bill Simmons Podcast."

"The number of attention, eyeballs, she's brought to college and the pros, and for these women to have this petty jealousness. You say to yourself 'Damn, what is going on here?'" Barkley said. "The stuff toward her is petty and jealous. And the thing I love about her, she never says a word." (Timestamp: 1:07:03)

Barkley complimented Clark's development throughout her rookie season, referencing her incredible play since returning from WNBA All-Star break. Since the break, Clark has been averaging 24.6 points, 9.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 48% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc.

Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever clinch first playoff berth since 2016 season

With two losses from the Tuesday WNBA slate, Clark and the Fever have clinched a playoff berth for the first time since the 2016 WNBA season.

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Chicago Sky 90-71, and the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Atlanta Dream 74-66. These two games helped the Fever clinch their playoff berth despite not playing on Tuesday night.

Indiana sits at 17-16 on the season, with the sixth seed in the WNBA standings. With seven games remaining in the regular season, Clark and the Fever are likely to remain the sixth seed, as they are three games behind the fifth-seeded Seattle Storm.

Clark is the heavy favorite to win WNBA Rookie of the Year, averaging 18.7 points, 8.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. Her historic rookie campaign has also garnered MVP attention, and she is currently ranking third in the award race.