NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal said the physical play and fouls directed at Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark represent a rite of passage common to elite athletes.
O’Neal made the comments in interviews with CNBC Sport and Fox News Digital on Thursday. He described the treatment Clark has received from other WNBA players as something every top performer must face.
“All the greats have to go through what we call rites of passage,” O’Neal said. “She’s a fabulous player, but we’re not giving you anything, ever. You have to earn it.”
He recalled similar challenges from his own NBA career and pointed to the early experiences of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and boxer Muhammad Ali. O’Neal said Clark needs to absorb the contact and demonstrate that it does not affect her.
“So for her, she needs to toughen up, take those licks, and show them that, ‘These licks don’t bother me,’” he added.
Shaquille O’Neal also noted professional jealousy among some players who receive less media attention than Clark. He said other athletes with comparable skills sometimes feel overlooked and respond by targeting the most prominent newcomer.
Caitlin Clark is in her third WNBA season with the Indiana Fever. She has set multiple scoring and statistical milestones, including becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, and 250 assists in 54 career games. On July 17 she scored a career high 45 points against the Seattle Storm.
The discussion around physical play against Caitlin Clark has included debates over officiating and on court incidents. Shaquille O’Neal framed the situation as a standard part of establishing oneself among established professionals rather than unique to Clark or the WNBA.
He expressed confidence that continued strong performance would lead to greater acceptance. “Once she passes through that, the league will belong to her,” O’Neal said.
