WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes leaks screenshots of alleged text messages with Kaitlyn Clark: 'I made a mistake'

WNBA Hall of Famer and current Dallas Wings announcer Sheryl Swoopes responded to an X fan who accused her of being “unfair” to Kaitlyn Clark with screenshots of text messages.

Swoopes' post on Monday included three images of messages he exchanged with a contact named Caitlin Clark on Feb. 5. The first image shows Swoopes apologizing for making an incorrect statement about Clark's time at college earlier this year.

“Kaitlyn, I just wanted to reach out to you personally and let you know I mistook what year this was for you. COVID has been so confusing,” Swoopes wrote. “I have nothing but respect for you and your game and appreciate your skill. Congratulations on all you've accomplished so far. Best of luck.”

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In the next two messages, Clark thanks Swoopes for reaching out and her contributions to the WNBA, with Swoopes replying with another message expressing her gratitude.

Swoopes' apology came after he made an incorrect statement during a February appearance on the Gills Arena podcast with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. While discussing Clark breaking the NCAA basketball all-time scoring record as a senior in 2023, Swoopes mistakenly said Clark had taken more than 40 shots per game during his five seasons in college.

But Clark only played four seasons and averaged just 22.7 shots per game to reach the milestone. She didn't need a fifth year or average 22.3 shots per game to become the leading scorer in collegiate basketball history, male or female.

Swoopes, who was the first player signed to a WNBA contract with the Houston Comets in 1997, was removed from her usual role as team commentator for Sunday's game between the Dallas Wings and Clark's Indiana Fever.

Since his deletion, Swoopes has responded multiple times to X's posts, referencing his interactions with Clark and past comments.

ESPN's Holly Rowe says the WNBA's tough stance on Kaitlyn Clark is 'good for the game'

In addition to his inaccurate comments about Clark's college career in February, Swoopes has made several other comments about Clark that have drawn criticism.

Swoopes recently praised Chicago Sky player Diamond DeShields after a game in which he took down Clark and fouled him, committing a flagrant foul No. 1. This was just the latest in a series of controversial fouls the Sky have committed against Clark in their four meetings this year.

Hours after DeShields committed the foul, she posted a screenshot of her notification list on Instagram, which included a string of hateful comments from users referencing the spinal tumor that DeShields overcame in 2020.

Swoopes posted on X in response to the Deshaies after the Sky's loss to Indiana on Friday, writing, “Stay strong, boys! Hatred doesn't win!! You are protected and these evil people can't do anything. Love to you!”

During an August appearance on the “Queens of the Court” podcast, Swoopes didn't name Clark as the reason for the Fever's recent success — he only gave credit to Aaliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexi Hull — but Clark was the team's leading scorer in the win stream and is already one of the leading scorers in the WNBA.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith responded to Swoopes' comments in the episode, saying it was “insane for a Hall of Famer to do something like that.”

“You know what that makes you look?” Smith said to Swoopes.

Swoopes responded to Smith as quickly as he could with an X.

“On the podcast, we talk about anyone and anything, right? So why not me? And have you listened to every episode? No! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve to be recognized too.”

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On Sunday, with Swoopes out of the broadcast booth, Clark had 28 points and 12 assists to lead Indiana to its fourth straight win and sixth in its last seven games. Clark now has 595 career points, surpassing WNBA legend Tamika Catchings' mark for the most points scored in a single season by a rookie in Fever history. She had 617 points at the end of Sunday's games.

Clarke seems to be breaking milestone records in every game he plays recently.

On Friday against the Sky, Clark recorded 30 points and 12 assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 30+ points and 10+ assists in a single game, and the first rookie to do so. Additionally, Clark now has 12 double-doubles, tying the WNBA record for most double-doubles by a guard in a single season.

WNBA team guard Caitlin Clark (22) leaves the court after the WNBA All-Star Game at the Footprint Center on July 20, 2024 in Phoenix. (Joe Rondone/The Republic/USA Today Network)

Just three days earlier, Clark had set the record for most 3-pointers made by a rookie, surpassing the mark first set by the Atlanta Dreams' Rhyne Howard. She made 3 of 12 3-pointers to finish with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists as Indiana earned its 15th win.

That same night, she became the first WNBA player to record at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in six consecutive games. This marked her 10th consecutive game with at least 15 points and five rebounds, joining Diana Taurasi in an elite club of players who have achieved this feat.

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