The WNBA existed before the arrival of superstar phenom Caitlin Clark.
Believe it or not.
That is what Cherelle George, aka Harlem Globetrotter’s Torch, wanted to remind everyone when she appeared on talkSPORT’s airwaves during Hawksbee & Jacobs afternoon show.
When asked about the exposure, growth and popularity that the WNBA has seen over the last year, George made it known that the league has always been talented and always deserving of the recognition it is starting to get.
“It’s well overdue,” George said.
“I love the women’s game getting that exposure finally.
“We’ve been talented. It ain’t like Caitlin Clark is the only phenom.
“It goes way back, growing up when the WNBA started.”
George was by no means disparaging Clark or the impact she has made on the league in such a short time.
There’s no denying that Clark’s arrival has coincided with the league’s exponential growth.
That’s not a coincidence.
George was just saying how the WNBA has always been made up of talented players, and that Clark wasn’t the first star to come through the league.
“It’s always been exciting,” George said.
“We’ve always had players that were flashy, that could hit the three.
“Getting that exposure, getting the opportunity, to use that platform and having men believe in us too.
“It makes a difference.
“I’m happy where it is and there’s still room to grow.
“That pay gap is still there, but the women’s sport has always been great, it’s just now finally getting acknowledged.
“I’m happy to see it, I love the WNBA.
“I watch it when I’m home, I go buy tickets. I support it, so I love where the game is at right now.”
Before the likes of Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu there was Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Maya Moore, Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Sue Bird, the list goes on and on.
The point is, the WNBA has had elite talent since its inception in 1997.
That much is clear.
What can also be acknowledged is that Clark has elevated the league’s popular to whole different stratosphere.
Both things can be true at the same time.