Molly Qerim called out for ‘hypocritical’ Caitlin Clark comments on First Take as viewers spot her conflicting remarks

Clark has put up stunning numbers since her Olympics snub

ESPN viewers have revisited Molly Qerim’s comments on Caitlin Clark following the basketball star’s stunning recent form.

First Take anchor Qerim, 40, declared in June it would “hurt the game” if WNBA rookie Clark had been selected for the Paris Olympics.

WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark (No.22) in action for the Indiana FeverCredit: Getty

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Members of Team USA’s women’s basketball team celebrate with their Olympic gold medalsCredit: Getty
Qerim made the comments prior to the Games getting underway in the French capital.

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, was left off the women’s team in a controversial decision by USA Basketball.

Molly gave her thoughts on the snub during an on-air discussion between analysts Stephen A. Smith, Chris Russo, and Andraya Carter on June 11.

Lead analyst Stephen A. argued that Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, should have been selected.

He called out the “idiocy of Team USA women’s basketball,” and claimed the decision to leave out Clark was “stupid.”

“I believe it would have hurt the game more if she was put there in place of someone more deserving,” Qerim countered.

“I think it makes a mockery of the women’s game,” she added.

“If the focus is now we have to have people [on the Olympics team] because of marketing and attention.

“And they’re not as talented and we’re not putting the best team out there.”

Despite the absence of Clark, the women’s USA team went on to win gold at Paris 2024.

Since Qerim’s comments, Fever guard Clark, 22, has blazed a trail through the WNBA.

The rookie has smashed numerous records in her first pro season, as well as recording two historic triple-doubles.

Since returning to the WNBA following a three-week break for the Olympics, Clark has averaged 24.5 points per contest and is shooting 47.8 percent from the field.

Fans have been quick to dredge up Qerim’s past comments, declaring they “aged like milk” and are “hypocritical

“Molly this take was not the one,” wrote one ESPN viewer on X.

“The apology should be as loud as the disrespect,” declared another.

“This really sucks because I have been a fan of Molly’s for years. Listening to her keep S.A. and his co-hosts under control was great. Disappointing for sure!” said a third.

“It’s just a comment in time. It could happen to the best analyst/scout/coach in the world,” countered a fourth.

“Timeline definitely matter, [Caitlin] definitely got better over the season,” agreed a fifth.

Qerim has since defended her comments on a recent broadcast of First Take.

“No one denied the fact that she’s a star and she could play,” Molly said.

But co-star Shannon Sharpe refused to let his colleague off the hook.

“Y’all were denying it Molly, don’t do that!” Sharpe retorted

“What I’m saying is that a lot of you came up here and because Caitlin Clark was getting shine, you guys were saying, ‘Don’t give Caitlin Clark shine, because there were women that were before her that don’t get shine.’”

You can catch Molly every weekday on First Take from 10am ET on ESPN.

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Qerim made her comments on Clark’s Olympics snub live on First TakeCredit