When you invite Shaquille O’Neal onto your podcast, you expect a few laughs, maybe some basketball wisdom, and, if you’re lucky, a compliment or two about your own game. But for Angel Reese, what started as a chance to shine in front of an NBA legend quickly turned into a masterclass in humility—and a viral moment that sent shockwaves through the world of women’s basketball.
This wasn’t just another episode. This was Shaq, the Hall of Famer, the cultural icon, the man who’s never been afraid to speak his mind, sitting down with one of the WNBA’s most talked-about rookies. But what happened next wasn’t in the script. Instead of dishing out praise for his host, Shaq made it clear: the real star of women’s basketball right now is Caitlin Clark.
Shaq’s Truth Bomb
The conversation started innocently enough. Angel Reese, confident and charismatic, welcomed Shaq to her show. She was ready for a friendly chat about the game, maybe even hoping for a few words of encouragement from her mentor. Instead, Shaq wasted no time shifting the spotlight.
“Why do people love Caitlin Clark so much—besides her skills?” Shaq asked, his voice booming with curiosity.
It was a question that hung in the air. Reese, perhaps caught off guard, offered the obvious answer: “It’s the logo threes.” But Shaq wasn’t buying it. He leaned in, his tone turning serious. “That’s not all she’s got,” he insisted.
Shaq began to list Clark’s gifts: her vision, her passing, her ability to control a game like a chess master. He pointed out that Clark’s marketability had already eclipsed global icons like Ronaldo and Messi, according to recent sports business rankings. The camera caught Reese’s reaction—a flicker of frustration, a forced smile. This was her podcast, but Shaq was rewriting the narrative in real time.
The Steph Curry Comparison
Then came the comparison that changed everything. Shaq likened Caitlin Clark to Steph Curry—the NBA’s baby-faced assassin who redefined the game with his shooting range and unassuming presence.
“You know why I love Steph Curry?” Shaq asked. “Because I’ve never seen that before. He looks like a normal office guy, but he does things we’ve never seen before. Caitlin’s the same. She’s doing things we’ve never seen before.”
It was high praise, and it stung. Shaq wasn’t just calling Clark talented—he was calling her legendary, untouchable, a once-in-a-generation player. And he was doing it on Angel Reese’s own platform.
The Reality Check
For Reese, the moment was as real as it gets. Shaq, who has been both a mentor and an advocate for her, was now openly declaring that her biggest rival was the face of the sport. The internet erupted. Comments flooded in: “Did Shaq just call Caitlin the GOAT on Angel’s own podcast?” “Shaq basically told Angel that Caitlin’s the star.”
But Shaq wasn’t finished. He admitted that he, too, had doubted Clark at first. “I was a hater,” he confessed. “I’d say, ‘She’s not going to hit that shot.’ And then—bam—she hits it. If I doubt you ten times and you hit that shot ten times, then you’re the truth.”
For Shaq, Clark’s greatness wasn’t about hype or headlines. It was about consistency, about proving doubters wrong, about doing the impossible over and over again.
More Than Just Logo Threes
What separates Caitlin Clark from her peers isn’t just her range, though her logo threes have become the stuff of legend. It’s her court vision, her leadership, her ability to make teammates better. She’s a floor general with the swagger of a superstar and the humility of a role player. She’s not just filling arenas—she’s transforming the culture of women’s basketball.
And Shaq sees it. So do the analysts, the fans, and even the skeptics. Rachel Nichols, Stephen A. Smith, Jason Whitlock—they’ve all echoed the same sentiment: Caitlin Clark is ushering in a new era. She’s not just a shooter; she’s a movement.
The Angel vs. Caitlin Dynamic
The contrast between Clark and Reese couldn’t be starker. While Clark is known for her relentless work ethic—hitting the gym in the offseason, staying focused on her craft—Reese has faced criticism for prioritizing fashion shoots and media appearances over her game. Her shooting struggles have been well-documented, and her missed layups have become fodder for social media.
“She’s the worst shooter inside of five feet in the league,” one analyst said bluntly. “Instead of working on her weaknesses, she’s busy playing dress-up.”
It’s a narrative that’s tough to shake, especially when your mentor is praising your rival on your own show. But it’s also a wake-up call. Shaq’s message to Reese—and to the entire league—is clear: greatness isn’t given, it’s earned.
Shaq’s Final Word
Shaq’s endorsement of Clark wasn’t just a hot take; it was a declaration. He called her the best collegiate player ever to grace the women’s game, a player who’s already outpacing legends before she’s even finished her rookie season. And coming from Shaq, that means something.
“If I doubt you and you prove me wrong every time, you’re the truth,” Shaq said. “Caitlin Clark is the truth.”
The Takeaway
The fallout from Shaq’s appearance was immediate. Fans debated, analysts dissected, and social media lit up with hot takes. But one thing was certain: Caitlin Clark’s star had never shone brighter. She wasn’t just winning games—she was winning hearts, rewriting expectations, and forcing even her rivals to take notice.
For Angel Reese, the podcast may have felt like a gut punch. But for women’s basketball, it was a moment of clarity—a reminder that the game is changing, and the new standard is being set in real time.
So was Shaq too harsh? Or was he just telling it like it is? One thing’s for sure: Caitlin Clark isn’t just here to compete. She’s here to dominate. And Shaq, for one, is ready to let the world know—no matter whose podcast he’s on
