Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Cheryl Miller Has Blunt Message For Caitlin Clark's Critics

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Mar 15, 2025 3:58 PM ET

Cheryl Miller knows all too well the hate that comes with greatness — especially when it comes to women's sports.

Despite never setting foot in the WNBA (because it didn't exist yet), the three-time College Player of the Year and Olympic gold medalist was as dominant as any woman that ever touched the hardwood and she sympathizes a bit with Caitlin Clark.

"I'm gonna be honest, because it needs to be said," Miller explained on the "All the Smoke" podcast. "I can relate to that young lady, and I felt for her. I know what it's like to be hated. I know what it's like to be a Black woman and to be hated because of my color. I can't imagine this young lady, I don't want to use 'hate,' but 'despised.'"

"She brought some on herself, a little bit, because she's cocky for a good reason. And I love that about her," the former USC star admitted. "But to watch the dynamics, and the media, they had their narrative. And I was pleased and proud to see the narrative wasn't the truth."

Cheryl Miller weighs in on the narratives surrounding WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.

ALL THE SMOKE with basketball icon is now available on YouTube! pic.twitter.com/hP0z9vTRl4
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) March 13, 2025

"Is she getting hyped? Yes. But she was in the backyard. She was putting in the same time, sometimes maybe more than you were. I can't fault her for what she was given," Miller added. "… You big dummies. You [are] getting paid now, right? Everybody now has an opportunity to pull up their chair and have a seat [at the table]."

Miller has never shied away from saying what she feels and she certainly has the resume to back it up.

Clark has had so many detractors dating back to her time at the University of Iowa but all she's done in the midst of that is set records, handle herself with grace and help change the landscape of women's sports.

Is she the only reason for the WNBA's growth? Of course not. Attention has steadily been rising for the better part of a decade now. But her talent and marketability are undeniable and it should only be a benefit to the other ladies in The W.

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 25: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on as she plays the Connecticut Sun during the first quarter of Game Two of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 25, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

A lot has also been made of Clark's relationship with fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Angel Reese. But Miller noted that she never saw any sort of bad blood when coaching them during last year's All-Star Game.

"They never got caught up into it," Cheryl concluded. "And those two are the foundation of the great stories and narratives coming out of the NCAA now flooding the [WNBA], which helps the [WNBA]."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: