The WNBA’s 2025 season has been nothing short of electric, with Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark at the epicenter of much of the action—and controversy. The highly-touted rookie, already a household name from her record-shattering college career, has found herself in the spotlight not just for her scoring prowess, but also for a series of on-court altercations that have sparked debate across the league. The latest incident, a heated exchange triggered by an inadvertent eye poke, has drawn the attention—and criticism—of WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, who believes Clark’s reaction reveals a deeper issue facing young stars in the league.
The Incident: A Game Boils Over
It was the third quarter of the Indiana Fever’s June 17 matchup against the Connecticut Sun. The game was tense, physical, and closely contested—the kind of atmosphere where tempers can flare. As Clark drove to the basket, she was closely guarded by Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon, a familiar foe from their college days. In a split-second defensive effort, Sheldon swiped at the ball, but her hand caught Clark squarely in the eye.
Clark recoiled, clutching her face in pain. What followed was a flurry of emotion and chaos. Words were exchanged, and the competitive tension boiled over into a shoving match between Clark and Sheldon. Before anyone could intervene, Chicago Sky’s Marina Mabrey rushed in and forcefully shoved Clark to the ground. The referees quickly intervened, issuing technical fouls to all three players involved.
Yet, as the dust settled, the focus shifted from the scuffle itself to how it was handled—both by the officials and by the players, particularly Clark.
Sheryl Swoopes Weighs In
On June 24, during an episode of “The Women’s Hoops Show,” Sheryl Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion and one of the most respected voices in women’s basketball, offered her candid thoughts on the incident. For Swoopes, the problem wasn’t the physicality of the play—something she considers part and parcel of elite competition—but rather how Clark responded in the aftermath.
“Jacy Sheldon and Caitlin go all the way back to college,” Swoopes began, referencing the players’ history. “I’m not saying they like each other or not, because I don’t know either one of them that way. But they’re competitors, right? Jacy loves the challenge of, ‘let me guard Caitlin.’ I don’t think Jacy is a dirty player, I don’t think she intentionally poked her in the eye. I thought she was guarding her, she swiped at the ball, and she hit Caitlin in the eye.”
Swoopes’ analysis struck at the heart of the matter: in her view, the play was a hard-nosed defensive effort gone awry, not a malicious act. But what troubled her was Clark’s reaction—her visible frustration, the escalation into a shoving match, and her continued agitation even after the referees had stepped in.
The “Problem” With Clark’s Reaction
For Swoopes, Clark’s behavior in the aftermath of the eye poke was emblematic of a larger issue. “It’s not about the eye poke,” Swoopes explained. “It’s about how you handle adversity and how you respond when things don’t go your way.”
Swoopes, who has seen her share of heated moments in the league, emphasized the importance of composure, especially for a player with Clark’s platform and visibility. “When you’re a star in this league, you’re going to get everybody’s best shot—sometimes literally. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. That’s what sets the greats apart.”
Her message was clear: Clark’s reaction, while understandable in the heat of the moment, risked undermining her reputation and setting the wrong example for younger players and fans. “You don’t want to be known for losing your cool every time something doesn’t go your way. That’s not leadership. That’s not what this league is about.”
The Referees Under Fire
The incident also reignited criticism of WNBA officiating, with many fans and analysts frustrated by what they saw as inconsistent enforcement of the rules. All three players—Clark, Sheldon, and Mabrey—were assessed technical fouls, but some questioned whether the referees had lost control of the game well before the eye poke.
For Swoopes, however, the focus remained on player accountability. “Referees are going to miss calls. That’s part of the game. But as players, we have to be responsible for our actions, regardless of what the officials do.”
The Pressure on Caitlin Clark
Clark’s rookie season has been a whirlwind. Heralded as a generational talent, she entered the WNBA with immense expectations—and an even brighter spotlight. Every move, every shot, every reaction is dissected by fans and media alike. The physicality she’s faced on the court has been relentless, as opponents seek to test her toughness and disrupt her rhythm.
But with that attention comes scrutiny. Swoopes’ comments reflect a growing sentiment among league veterans: Clark must learn to channel her competitive fire into resilience, not retaliation. “You can be fiery, you can be passionate,” Swoopes said. “But you also have to be smart. You have to be a leader.”
A Teachable Moment
For Clark, the incident offers a valuable lesson. The best players—Swoopes included—have all faced moments of adversity, whether from hard fouls, tough losses, or hostile crowds. What defines them is not how they react when things are easy, but how they respond when tested.
Swoopes hopes Clark will use this experience as a turning point. “She’s got all the talent in the world. She can be one of the all-time greats. But talent alone isn’t enough. It’s about maturity, about learning from these moments and coming back stronger.”
The Bigger Picture for the WNBA
The viral nature of the eye poke incident and the ensuing debate reflect both the growing popularity of the WNBA and the challenges that come with increased visibility. As more fans tune in and the stakes rise, every incident is magnified. For the league, it’s an opportunity to showcase not just the skill of its players, but also their character and sportsmanship.
Swoopes’ critique is not meant to tear down Clark, but to push her—and the league as a whole—toward greater professionalism and poise. “We want our stars to shine, but we also want them to be role models. That means handling adversity with grace, even when it’s hard.”
Moving Forward
As the Fever and Clark move on from the incident, all eyes will be on how she responds. Will she heed the advice of legends like Swoopes and let her play do the talking? Or will the pressure continue to boil over in moments of frustration?
For now, one thing is clear: the WNBA is as competitive and compelling as ever, with stars like Caitlin Clark at the center of the action. The challenge, as Swoopes reminds us, is not just to win games, but to win respect—on and off the court.
In the end, the story of Caitlin Clark’s eye poke is about more than a single play. It’s about the journey from talent to greatness, and the lessons learned along the way. As Clark continues to grow, both as a player and a leader, the league—and its fans—will be watching, cheering, and, yes, sometimes critiquing, every step of the way.
