The rookies are changing the guard in basketball

Cameron Brink / Caitlin ClarkAP

WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink have brought a whole new fanbase with them to women’s basketball, and it seems their popularity is helping attract record attendances to surpass NBA stars such as LeBron James.

The groundbreaking arrival of Clark – the No.1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft – has shaken up the order in the world of basketball, with the Des Moines native already a star athlete in he rookie season.

Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink arrive in style at the Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks game

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The former Iowa Hawkeyes star broke a number of records during her time in the NCAA, becoming the Division 1 all-time leading points scorer to replace Kelsey Plum at the top.

And the 22-year-old’s move to join the Indiana Fever has been one of the most high-profile in basketball history, let alone the WNBA, with more fans flocking to see her in action than ever before.

The Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 78-73 to record their first win of the season and did so in front of a crowd of 19,103 spectators at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles. It was the highest attendance that the Sparks have ever recorded.

But even more crucially, it is 106 higher than what the Los Angeles Lakers and James managed for their largest crowd in a home game; 18,997, leading fans to mock the NBA for its apparent decline.

One fan on social media said: “Embarrassing for @NBA, @NFL better by a galaxy”, while another responded to FanDuel’s post on X, saying: “Take that LeFlop,” with a clear dig at James.

LeBron James backs Caitlin Clark

Anyone that felt the 39-year-old might resent Clark for her success would be wrong, as the four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP gave his backing to Clark for taking the women’s game forward.

“I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before. I’ve walked that road before. I hope she kills,” James said on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast with JJ Redick.

“You know, there’s a very small number of men and women that actually get to live out their dream of playing a professional sport. And we have grown … men and women out here doing whatever they can to try to make sure that does not happen.

“That is the weirdest thing in the world, but it is what it is, and I’m glad that Caitlin has a great head on her shoulders.”