- Cheryl Miller Mentoring Caitlin Clark
Cheryl Miller, an iconic figure in women’s basketball, is now mentoring WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark, helping her develop both her game and resilience in a league that sometimes overlooks new talent. - Clark’s WNBA Debut and Rising Tensions
Clark’s WNBA debut has been remarkable, showing deep shooting range and on-court finesse, which has drawn mixed responses from WNBA veterans. Many are wary of her rising fame, but Cheryl’s guidance aims to prepare her for these challenges. - Historical Connection Between Miller and Clark
This mentorship is considered historic, akin to a legend like Michael Jordan mentoring a young talent. Cheryl is teaching Clark not only technical skills but also how to deal with professional jealousy and thrive under pressure. - WNBA All-Star Starting Position for Clark
Clark has earned a starting position on Team WNBA, coached by Cheryl Miller at the 2024 WNBA All-Star game. Cheryl’s leadership aims to unite young stars like Clark and Angel Reese, who are often pitted as rivals by the media. - Impact and Future Legacy
Miller’s influence is fortifying Clark’s confidence, driving her to challenge records and redefine expectations in the WNBA. With Cheryl’s backing, Caitlin Clark is poised to make a lasting impact and establish a new legacy for women’s basketball.
gave her the biggest hug that I could and when she saw me she’s like oh man finally somebody somebody I see that’s on my side because could relate he was getting hit with everything left and right and I just said um I hugged her I said I’m so proud of [Applause] you the great Cheryl Miller is now in Caitlyn’s corner and that meant intership is exactly what’s needed to turn the tables here let’s put the record straight Cheryl Miller isn’t merely a former basketball player she’s (00:38) an icon the kind who basically invented the idea of domination in women’s basketball back in her day she could drop buckets in her sleep torching defenses with pure magic and if there’s anyone that can take Caitlyn’s game to the next level it’s Cheryl Miller not only is Cheryl teaching her through the technical aspects of the game she’s also providing her guidance on handling the hostility um first of all I’d like to congratulate the inducting class of 1995 I would like to thank the Hall of (01:07) Fame uh I’m sure that I’m going to forget some people out here but I’d like to thank Linda sharp my coach at USC Bill wall Lynn Barry Annie Meyers coach Pat Summit uh my mom and dad my friends my family I remember reading once um Cheryl understands all about the demands of St standing out she lived it and now she’s offering Caitlyn the blueprint for navigating the unique combination of skill and jealousy she faces in the WNBA in a league that too often regards Rising talents like they’re a threat (01:45) Caitlyn’s alliance with Cheryl Miller is a master stroke Cheryl knows the score she’s been the outlier the player who stands out so much that she makes everyone around her feel like they need to prove something this is mentorship on another level and it’s funny how the WNBA players must feel right now Pioneers who made their marks on the hardwood superstars of a growing sport these are the legends of our game she was one of the greatest college players ever a Scholastic icon who helped the game climb to new popularity Cheryl (02:17) Miller this two-time National High School Player of the Year received more than 250 scholarship offers she picked USC and lived up to every expectation this four-time All-American set USC career records for scoring rebounding free throws made and steals those records still stand today when her teams won NCAA titles in 1983 and 1984 she was tournament MVP each time she was just as dominant for the 1984 Olympic gold medal team she had a strong second act as a coach and a broadcaster and in 1995 earned induction into the Basketball (02:56) Hall of Fame because while you’re side eyeing Caitlyn she’s getting play bypl lessons from a literal Legend with Cheryl’s Direction Caitlyn has the inside track on skills mentality and let’s be real how to stand tall in the face of insecurities surrounding her Nelson ad DOA trying to save it and does and now Clark comes up with a steal Clark thought about pulling up from three will dip inside and lay it in there are the first points in the WNBA career of Caitlyn CL take it at The Rim here hesitation you have to come out on (03:34) her goes Cheryl’s philosophy is simple when they show you hate you show them buckets this connection is next level with Caitlyn learning from someone who has dealt with it all and understands exactly how to deal with it Caitlyn comes into the WNBA and what happens most of you so-called Pros prefer to sling shade instead of acknowledging her game she has the attitude the moves and that insane range that’s nearly half court Steph Curry instead of appreciation she gets cold shoulders and side eye and let’s not pretend like this (04:09) doesn’t happen often the league speaks about wanting talent but when it’s right in front of you some of you act like you’d rather see her Miss than have the WNBA improve this isn’t about her stealing your thunder Caitlyn’s not here to take your seat she’s here to elevate the game but instead some of you are threatened that one down and it’s a big one it’s old [Applause] Clark has space she’s going to let it fly and she’s going to connect oh Caitlyn Clark she waited to Prime Time (04:47) to connect from Deep incaa ranks we got some score power on the court watch that inside hand that left hand Caitlyn Clark gets away with a little little shove inside creates that space Gus s too much long rebound to the fever oh don’t wait don’t wait transition defense is it because she’s pulling up from the logo and breaking ankles or maybe it’s because she’s quickly becoming a fan favorite while you’re busy sub tweeting each other whatever the reason Cheryl’s showing Caitlyn how to tune out the bad vibes (05:26) Cheryl’s advice to Caitlyn presumably sounds a little like this they don’t want to shine blind them with every three-pointer you’ve got Cheryl’s experience is so profound that she’s been through the storm and still emerged with respect she’s training Caitlyn to play her game unapologetically to own every swish every step back three every move that makes WNBA players shake their heads in jealousy and let’s not forget Cheryl’s seen the worst of it so Caitlyn is in fantastic hands fans had been (05:55) excitedly expecting the WNBA All-Star game ever since it was announced that rookies Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese had made the 2024 WNBA All-Star team since then there had been a lot of debate about whether Clark or ree would start on team WNBA which is coached by women’s basketball icon Cheryl Miller well finally the questions may be put to rest because the starting five for team WNBA has just been announced quarter and Clark doing it with some defense comes up with the block and then Lexi Hull finds her fever back within (06:29) four all is trying to clear eight shot clock down to nine here as Clark gets inside the scoop shot Falls Indiana scoring has done it from the three-point line has gotten to the rim and she’ll head to the foul line here momentarily you’re taking on and Caitlyn Clark had definitely been picked as team wnba’s starting point guard receiving her ultimate Mark of approval we also got Connecticut Sun forward danana boner Seattle Storm forward NECA aiki New York Liberty Center Jonquil Jones and Dallas Wings guard AR Ogen Bali Miller has (07:07) spent this entire week complimenting Clark for her on andof court ability while she isn’t currently directing a squad court side she did serve as the head coach for team WNBA at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game this provided Miller the unusual opportunity to teach rookie Sensations Caitlyn Clark and Angel ree who are generally pitted as enemies within the media at the same time time and Miller gave a clear message about the purported bad blood between these two 22-year-old Global Superstars during a September third appearance of the Mark (07:39) Jackson show she doesn’t jump out the gym she’s not like your 6665 which gives her a height Advantage a length Advantage um so it has to be here it has to be here because I’ve never seen someone offensively rebound better than her better than her and she reminds me of that mentality of Dennis Rodman anything around the rim loose around there she going to get she going to find a way she just and they used to call it you know he has a nose for the ball no it’s just something in them that every loose ball they going to find a (08:22) way runs the floor great hands understanding those two being on the floor shattered whatever narrative people were trying to push a know animosity I mean it was fun while it lasted but these guys all they want to do was win and seeing them interact off the court and and shoot around and everything else it it was fun it was a lot of fun guys and it it was such a blessing to be a part of it team WNBA Squad beat Cheryl Reeves Team USA Squad 117 to 109 she was the head coach of that Squad even even though she wanted (09:00) to defeat Team USA Miller seemed to have been more concerned with making sure the all stars she was coaching had a good time that weekend especially newcomers Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese Cheryl tells her how to hold her head high to walk into that arena with pride every time Caitlyn lights up the court she knows she has Cheryl’s expertise behind her fueling her moves and her mentality it’s hilarious because instead of attempting to appreciate her Elegance some of you WNBA vets are acting like Caitlyn’s the the reason your highlights (09:30) got edited down by ESPN Caitlyn’s out there draining buckets from the parking lot and y’all are sweating harder than LeBron in the finals trying to pretend you don’t notice or how about when Caitlyn sends opponents scrambling with a step back three it’s like she’s Alan Iverson in his prime Crossing people up and leaving them scrambling for their sneakers the only difference instead of respect some of you WNBA players Treat Her Like She’s just another rookie but Cheryl’s got her back and Caitlyn knows (09:58) how to handle the fire so keep staring while she sinks another 30-footer like it’s no big deal this relationship isn’t just big it’s historic Cheryl Miller and Caitlyn Clark that’s like Michael Jordan mentoring Luca donic when you have two basketball IQs that high coming together the effects are unstoppable Cheryl showing Caitlyn the ropes training her how to resist the shade thrown her way and preparing her to excel in a league that sometimes doesn’t notice great talent until it’s too late and she had a (10:27) little fiery attitude going back this all competitive and that’s what it’s about she’s ready for this moment as I said in that first half and she is showing and proving why right now Atkins off the [Applause] window Arrington off the markers Clark steps into a three and knocks it down necticut second last in the league in three-point percentage just under 29% clarkk Hees and rattles one in for you WNBA players it’s time to get real Cheryl’s influence is only making Caitlyn stronger she’s coming for the (11:05) records the MVPs and the highlights and she’s doing it all with Cheryl Miller level confidence so while you’re busy complaining Caitlyn’s piling stats like Prime Shack under the rim the difference sha was at least renowned for his power Caitlyn’s doing it with finesse and she’s supported by one of the most respected names in the game Cheryl Miller and Caitlyn Clark joining together is the ultimate narrative twist in the WNBA Saga Caitlyn’s got the raw skill and Cheryl’s providing her the instruction to make it (11:34) famous for a league that’s been so averse to accepting a star like Caitlyn this is a wakeup call because while you’re busy throwing shade Cheryl and Caitlyn are establishing a legacy so next time you see Caitlyn Clark blazing up the court remember that she’s got Cheryl Miller in her corner and while you’re huddling together trying to find out how to cope with her game Cheryl’s probably already given her five more ways to break your defense wide open Caitlyn’s here she’s Unapologetic and (12:02) she’s got the legend herself backing her up your pace Clark outside and that’s good Clark trying to shake free mayy all over here is Clark Clark separating taking and hitting Caitlyn Clark with a difficult look from Deep a locked in face locked in face l a deep three you B could have held for one did not but able to hit here’s the flick ahead Melissa Smith lays it in on the delivery from Clark she finally missed one Kennedy Carter had been six for six from the floor here’s Clark finds the cutter Boston inside for (12:49) two WNBA get ready Cheryl Miller’s Apprentice isn’t here to blend in she’s here to shatter the mold and she’s doing it in style and you can either Step Up or keep denying that Caitlyn’s not the genuine deal but every shot she makes every record she shatters just knows she’s doing it with Cheryl’s approval”
