Shaquille O'Neal's seven-word statement to Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark's incredible first season in the WNBA has caught the attention of basketball legends and fans, including NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal.

Known for his incredible personality and candid emotions, O'Neal has not been shy about expressing his gratitude to Clark for her extraordinary talent and important achievements.

During his remarkable campaign for The Latest Phenom, O'Neal has often expressed his thoughts on Clark's exceptional abilities. During his recent appearance on the "Proudly Heavenly Messenger" web video hosted by Reese, he continued his glowing appreciation for the young star.

O'Neal emphasized that Clark is doing things on the basketball court that few have ever seen before and said he considers this a sign of her future importance. "She's doing things we've never seen before," O'Neal said during the digital recording, emphasizing how impressive Clark's efforts were in her first WNBA season.

O'Neal isn't the only one acknowledging her success. Basketball experts and fans alike are impressed with Clark's record-breaking feat. Clark is looking to rewrite the narrative of what a young girl can achieve in the WNBA.

She entered the league with high expectations after a successful collegiate career, impressing the world by breaking unmatched scoring records in all varieties of NCAA basketball.

This exceptional performance validated her scoring ability and paved the way for her to achieve at the professional level. Clark was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, a team looking to make a comeback with a talented young star at the helm.

She made an immediate impact from the moment she stepped on the field, breaking numerous records and improving her team's performance.

One of Clark's greatest accomplishments was setting a WNBA record for most assists in a single game with 19. However, she also set the standard for most assists in a single season, reaching 321 by the end of her first year.

These numbers reflect her: her exceptional ability to design the game and show that her game is about more than just scoring; her understanding of the game that outshines her teammates and currently puts her in comparison to the best teams in the league.

In addition to these assist records, Clark also made a strong impression by becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double. And she didn't stop there. She recorded two triple-doubles during her rookie career, solidifying her status as one of the league's brightest young stars.

O'Neal was especially impressed with her shooting technique, which has become a hallmark of her game. "I've never seen anyone do that all the time," he said of Clark's long-range shooting ability.

He went on to acknowledge that while other WNBA players have excelled in the past, Clark stands out for her consistency and her ability to thrive under pressure. He said he watched Clarke during her final four years of college and was blown away by her performance.

"When I see this game, when you see everyone in the final four, I'm like, 'Damn,'" O'Neal said, expressing admiration for Clarke's ability to adapt to the situation at the best of times.

Expectations will be even higher when Clarke returns for her second season with the Indiana Fever in 2025.

With ThenewHotness scholarship in her repertoire and thousands of records already in the books, the basketball world will be watching to see her continue to build and lead the team.

If her new season is any indication, Clarke is poised for a long and illustrious life in the WNBA -- and inspiring people to think about the players' future.

Her meteoric rise to fame not only earned her the affections of legends like Shaquille O'Neal but also secured her a place as one of the quintessential futures of the ladies' ball.