BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – WNBA legend Candace Parker, a three-time champion and two-time MVP, shared her perspective on the rough treatment faced by Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark in the WNBA, dismissing claims of unfair targeting as part of the reality for superstars in the league. In an exclusive interview with TMZ Sports on May 28, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Parker addressed the ongoing debate about Clark’s physical treatment on the court, sparked by incidents like a shoulder-check from Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter in 2024, which was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 foul. “Star players aren’t ever treated fairly,” Parker told TMZ, suggesting that the physicality Clark faces is par for the course for high-profile players.
Clark, the 2024 No. 1 draft pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year, has drawn unprecedented attention to the league, boosting viewership and attendance. Her stellar rookie season included setting records, earning All-WNBA First-Team honors alongside Parker (2008), and tying Parker for third-most career triple-doubles (three) in a May 17, 2025, rout of the Chicago Sky (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists). However, her rapid rise has fueled controversy, with some fans and commentators, like Charles Barkley, alleging veteran players are “jealous” of her spotlight, citing physical play as evidence. Parker, who faced similar scrutiny as the 2008 No. 1 pick, pushed back on this narrative, implying in a 2024 Andscape interview that physicality is inherent to the WNBA’s competitive nature, not personal vendettas.
Parker, who retired in 2024 after a storied career with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces, also contextualized Clark’s impact. In a November 2024 appearance on “The Deal” podcast, she criticized networks for “burying” the WNBA during her playing days, noting that Clark’s 2023 NCAA championship run on ABC marked a turning point in visibility. “Are you surprised viewership was up? It was buried for so long on ESPN,” Parker said, crediting Clark and stars like Angel Reese for the league’s current boom.
The debate over Clark’s treatment ties to your earlier “frightened crowd” quote, with the intense public and media scrutiny surrounding her mirroring the chaos of Portofino’s tourist throngs or the mob threatening Ashok Saraf. The “steps” of the WNBA court witness Clark’s resilience, much like the courtroom in Karen Read’s trial or the classrooms in Texas’ Ten Commandments debate. Parker’s measured take contrasts with the polarized reactions on X, where fans like @mikeaalen112735 decried a lack of foul calls for Clark, while others, like @thecaitshot, praised Parker’s nod to her shared rookie honors.
If you’d like a deeper dive into Clark’s stats, Parker’s career parallels, or connections to your other prompts, let me know!
