Stephen A. Smith recently spoke out about the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark, the WNBA player who was named “Athlete of the Year” by *Time* magazine.

He pointed out that Caitlin’s success did not come from her ethnicity, but from her outstanding skills, her competitive spirit, and her enormous impact on the league.

Smith emphasized that Caitlin Clark was not only talented, but also had a unique style, with a combination of femininity, technique, and a charismatic style of play. These factors made her stand out from many other players, regardless of skin color.

Since joining the league, Caitlin has made many positive changes, including increasing the audience, making the WNBA more widely televised, and even pushing for improvements in travel conditions (such as switching from commercial to private flights).

However, Smith criticized the jealousy and negative reactions of some people towards Caitlin. He said criticism should not be directed at her, as she has not harmed or hindered anyone. Instead, critics should direct their displeasure at the systems of injustice that have existed, rather than blaming an individual.

Caitlin Clark, according to Smith, is trying to be “the wave that lifts all boats” by using her influence to push for the recognition of black athletes in the WNBA.

She acknowledges her privilege as a white woman, but also emphasizes that the league needs to continue to honor the black athletes who have laid the foundation for the WNBA’s growth.

Smith urged people to learn to appreciate Caitlin’s contributions instead of being jealous, just as previous civil rights movements have always welcomed support from allies regardless of race. He emphasized that jealousy and internal conflict will only slow down the growth of the WNBA and the community.

Finally, he cautioned that asking too much of Caitlin, a young athlete, could put her under unnecessary pressure. He encouraged individuals in the community to focus on building the league and working towards unity rather than division.