Caitlin Clark insisted LeBron James is the “greatest basketball player of all time” – but played down comparisons between herself and the NBA icon.

Having enjoyed a record-breaking spell at Iowa as she departed college as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history, Clark was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She dominated on the court, winning Rookie of the Year honors while posting 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game while setting several records – including the single-game assist record (19).

Clark led the Indiana Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016 and is leading a women’s sporting revolution. As a result,  like James.

Back in 2003, James was the first overall pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning Rookie of the Year himself. He has since dominated the NBA for over two decades and has been compared to Clark as she lights up packed arenas and adds new eyes to women’s sports.

However, while Clark has the utmost respect for James, she does not want to be compared to him – or anyone. In an interview with David Letterman, the 23-year-old said: “I don’t want to compare myself to anybody else. I don’t like that.

“I hate saying this because LeBron is, like, the greatest basketball player of all time, but obviously, he didn’t even go to college, and he had all these expectations coming out of high school to be, like, the greatest player ever, and obviously, that’s a lot. Like, that’s a lot to take on your shoulders and a lot for the NBA at the time.

“He’s obviously lived up to it, and he’s still one of the best players – if not the best player – in the world still… It’s incredible what he’s done for the game of basketball and the way he’s carried himself. I’ve always been a fan of him.”