When Caitlin Clark learned about LeBron James's diet to battle sciatica ahead of his 23rd NBA season, the Fever star shot back on Instagram, making a statement, “I’d rather retire.” And that went mega-viral overnight.​

James caught that real quick and replied to her, but with a nod of praise. “She’s disciplined as well,” he said on the “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash. “I guarantee that if she had to give up something to get her back on the floor, she’ll do it as well. But yeah, it is just part of my makeup to know that I can knock out things and lock in on,”​​ he added.

That exchange hit home as Clark eyes her comeback for the 3rd season. She missed most of the 2025 WNBA season with the Indiana Fever, limited to just 13 games because of a brutal run of lower-body injuries. Her year wrapped in July 2025, but she's set for a March 2026 return with Team USA.

The Fever nearly crashed the WNBA Finals last season, falling one OT loss short, and Clark's star power fueled it all. Her rookie year made a mark, though winning WNBA Rookie of the Year, fourth in MVP voting.

She also drove a record viewership of 2.4 million for her games, 48% attendance spikes, and merch sales went through the roof. But does her fame really eclipse NBA stars like Victor Wembanyama?​

Jeff Teague Rejects Nick Wright’s Claim

So here’s where it started. Caitlin Clark is one of the most popular WNBA players right now. Her viral moments caught Wright’s attention, and he went nuclear with his claim. According to him, Clark is the top basketball name under 35, which is like trailing only 41-year-old LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.

That means, in his view, she’s ahead of Anthony Edwards, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wright framed it as the NBA dealing with a star void, betting that French phenom Victor Wembanyama will eventually fix it. The 7'4" force is averaging 24.3 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG this season.

But Teague sees a clear divide. Clark packs U.S. arenas. Whereas Wemby? He packs the world arenas.

On the “Club 520 Podcast,” Teague pushed back on Wright’s claim. He said, “Caitlin Clark’s big in the States. Wemby big everywhere.” He even admitted he barely recognized Clark at a Nike event. “Didn’t know it was her until she was at the door.” Still, he tipped his hat, saying her signature shoe would outsell plenty of NBA stars.

In Teague’s eyes, it’s simple. Clark owns the American wave. But Wembanyama’s global Spurs is huge, including from Paris to Tokyo, which eclipses even the Fever’s 17,000-plus crowds back home.

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Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Joyita Das