Caitlin Clark completed her first season as a pro basketball player in the WNBA and was recently honored as Time’s Athlete of the Year.
The WNBA rookie set records in her first season, including a league record for assists in a single season.
With the increased attention on Clark, she reflected on the league’s history in her Time interview and acknowledged her privilege.
“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” Clark shared with Time. “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.”
She added, “The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
Clark also shared her thoughts on not making the Paris Olympics team, eventually understanding the reasons behind the decision.
“I don’t want to be there just to bring attention,” she expressed. “I want to be there because they believe I am good enough. I don’t want to be a token player cheered for while sitting on the bench. That narrative upset me because it’s unfair. It’s disrespectful to the team members who earned their spot and also disrespectful to myself.”
