There have been several moments throughout NBA history when the league’s excitement seemed to plateau. Despite the presence of elite talent, fans occasionally lost interest until the arrival of transformative figures like Magic Johnson or Larry Bird.
Their rivalry reignited fan interest and elevated the NBA to new heights. According to Richard Jefferson, Caitlin Clark has sparked a similar revolution in the WNBA. Much like Magic, or even modern-day superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry, Clark’s presence alone has been a magnetic force to draw fans to their screens.
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Jefferson is impressed by how Caitlin and other athletes have helped grow the WNBA
Even though Clark missed much of the 2025 WNBA season due to injury, the games she did play were enough to prove her impact. Ratings skyrocketed whenever she stepped on the hardwood, underlining the fact that her star power transcends performance.
Moreover, her early face-off against Angel Reese and her Chicago Sky also turned into a must-see TV spectacle, bringing in a wave of media attention. And that rivalry between these two young, new-age stars is what Jefferson believes to be on the same level as Magic vs. Bird, which began on the college stage and lasted for almost a decade in the NBA.
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Moreover, for Jefferson, he sees flashes of Magic in Caitlin, as she didn’t just settle on her accumulated fan base from Iowa; she impressed many more with her charisma and tendency to let her multifaceted game speak for itself. That is why Jefferson has no issues in admitting that Clark is just like those superstars who are almost single-handedly carrying the league into a new, fresh direction.
“100 percent. I think when you look at it and there’s a competitive side. The WNBA is one of the most difficult statistically leagues to play in with the number of roster spots, and so there’s an inherent competitiveness that goes on within that.
But when you look at what Steph and LeBron have done for the game, you look at what Magic and Bird have done for the game, when you look at the course of NBA history, there’s blocks of times where superstar players moved it forward,” Jefferson said.
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“When you look at what Caitlin Clark and the rivalries that started in college, and Angel Reese, and that buzz from college brought the (same) energy to the WNBA very similar to how the rivalry between Magic and Larry brought that rivalry to the NBA and then it continued to grow.”
Clark can take the WNBA to greater heights
At a time when WNBA players are rightfully pushing for higher earnings and broader recognition, Clark represents more than just elite play on the court; she symbolizes visibility and marketability. The off-court buzz surrounding her appearances, endorsements and rivalries has drawn record-breaking attention to the sport.
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However, as Jefferson notes, while there are several talented and hardworking players across the league, it’s Clark’s aura that continues to set her apart.
Ultimately, while Jefferson also handed credit to others for helping the WNBA’s upward trajectory, even he admits that Clark stands at the forefront of this new era, and who knows, if she can replicate the success Magic brought to the NBA in the long term, the WNBA will achieve greater heights than almost no one saw them attaining just a few years ago.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
