The Las Vegas Aces star responded to critics.

In the aftermath of reports suggesting Caitlin Clark was on the verge of securing a lucrative shoe deal with Nike, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson faced online backlash and accusations of jealousy.

Wilson found herself under scrutiny after sharing a Bible verse about patience on social media shortly after news of Clark’s potential deal emerged.

Speculation arose that Wilson’s post was directed at Clark, who, as the first overall draft pick for the Indiana Fever, was rumored to be finalizing a deal with Nike worth over $20 million, including a signature shoe-a rarity for a rookie.

Wilson responds to critics

Critics pointed to Wilson’s lack of a signature shoe deal with Nike as a possible source of resentment, sparking controversy online.

Wilson swiftly addressed the accusations, clarifying her intentions and denying any animosity toward Clark.

“lol no one is jealous bookie!” Wilson said according to the New York Post.

“I have no reason to be lol I truly Wish all 143 [players in the league] the best fr! Our league is hard as hell so to thrive and to stay in it consistently.. is huge! So pls stop with this jealousy stuff.”

Despite the brief social media storm, Wilson’s achievements, including WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors, speak volumes about her status in the league.

Yet, the absence of a signature shoe deal for Wilson, unlike some of her peers, remains a topic of discussion in WNBA circles. Meanwhile, Clark’s arrival in the league has been marked by significant endorsements and attention, reflecting her potential to reshape perceptions and economic realities within women’s basketball.

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Kamilla Cardoso and Raven Johnson explained how Staley has made this basketball program feel so warm and welcoming to the players
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has now reached the pinnacle of women’s hoops with her third national title and an undefeated season.

According to her players, there’s no coach more deserving of such success.

Following the Gamecocks’ 2024 title game victory over Caitlin Clark and Iowa, who thwarted their bid for an undefeated title-winning season the year before, Staley and Carolina were coronated at last.

After the game, several of Staley’s players spoke to media, explaining just how much their head coach meant to them.

First to speak was Gamecock star player Kamilla Cardoso:

“She means a lot to me. I feel like, since the first day I got to South Carolina, she’s been working so hard to get me ready and prepared for moments like this,” said the South Carolina center.

“I’m just so thankful to have her as a coach. She’s like an inspiration for me and a lot of young girls out there. She’s the best in the business, you already know.”

Next, Raven Johnson explained how Staley has made this basketball program feel so warm and welcoming to the players.

“It means a lot just to play, just to learn from her. She’s like a mom,” shared Johnson.

“I mean, I don’t know, I go to her about everything. I could joke around with her.

I could do anything, just anything. She’s like a mom, like a home away from home. It’s a home-away-from-home feeling.

There’s no better way to have a coach like her and be so comfortable around her. And I take pride in what she do for us, on and off the court, not just basketball.”

Cardoso concurred with Johnson, noting how Staley really does create a family type of atmosphere, which is comforting for a player like Cardoso who’s so far away from home.

“I agree with Raven. I feel like, especially me, I’m international, and I don’t have my family here.

She’s just like a family for me, a family away from home,” said Cardoso. “I’m just so thankful to have her as a coach.”

Lastly, Te-Hina Paopao explained that she feels lucky to have gotten to play for a person and coach like Staley.

“Man, she’s so important to have in people’s lives. She’s amazing. God has put her in my life, and she’s impacted it so much, not only me, but my family.

She changes lives for the better. I wish you guys could experience that and just how much she’s helped me as a player and as a woman.”

“And she’s just amazing, man. It’s a blessing. Just playing for her is so much fun. People just love playing for her. People would run through brick walls for her.

To be able to have a coach like that, it’s unimagined. We’re all just really blessed to have someone like her in our corner. She just impacted our lives for the better.”

As great as Dawn Staley is as a coach, it seems to be her connection with her players that really makes South Carolina such a special place to play basketball.

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Caitlin Clark blocks Antonio Brown on social media for offensive comments

Indianapolis Star-USA TODAY NETW// Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark is not putting up with Antonio Brown‘s antics as she enters the WNBA.

On Wednesday, the former NFL wide receiver went to X (formerly known as Twitter) to reveal that Clark blocked him after he went on the app three times to say “crass things” about the former Iowa Hawkeyes basketball star, according to TMZ Sports.

Brown went after Clark during her introductory press conference. That led to people on social media going after Brown for attacking Clark.

“Cracker of the Day”

“Blocked by Cousin It 💈”

“He’s his own worst enemy,” one person wrote. “If he had any common sense, he’d try to repair his reputation to improve his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame, but he only makes things worse for himself every time he goes on social media.”

Another person wrote: “Dude get a life! The social media mindset of this man will never change that’s why he will always lose.”

Caitlin Clark never ‘imagined’ this type of success

Clark was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft this week. On Wednesday, the two-time AP Player of the Year appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and talked about envisioning the success she had at Iowa.

“I feel like I always had super big goals, and dreams, and aspirations,” Clark said. “But at the same time this is a place women’s basketball has really never been before.

So it’s like no, I never really imagined it on this magnitude, but also I’ve always been a supporter of women’s basketball. It’s always been something I’ve loved ever since a young age.”

Earlier this month, Clark spoke to reporters not being focused on people who try to bring her down.

“When you’re in the spotlight like this there’s gonna be a million different opinions on you. And for as many people that are going to love you, there’s going to be people that don’t like you,” she said.

“That’s the case with every professional athlete, men or women, playing at the highest stage.

And I think what I’ve been able to do over the course of my career is just focus on the opinions of the people inside our locker room. That’s what I really care about.

The people that I love to death. The people that have had my back every single second of my career.”

Clark finished her 2023-23 season at Iowa averaging 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.

Along with being the top pick in the draft, Clark will sign an eight-figure deal with Nike and receive a signature shoe.