The 2024 WNBA Draft No. 1 pick might have had a rough start, but the pace she’s been on ever since returning from the Olympic break is unstoppable. She’s become fiercer for historical records with every possible matchup. Even in the last game versus the Dallas Wings, she racked up a career-high 35 points. Absolutely no one can deny her dominance—not even a legend himself.

On September 17th, Kendrick Perkins joined forces with ESPN’s host Chiney Ogwumike to debate several topics surrounding the WNBA. How could they not discuss Caitlin Clark? “If I had to evaluate her season right now and give you facts, I would say she has lived up to the expectations. I’m looking at her the way I look at LeBron James,” shared Perkins.

For him, it’s Clark’s perseverance that drives him crazy. Earlier, he used to hear that she needed to get used to the “physicality” of the league and see how players came at her. But that isn’t the case anymore as she heads to break “all kinds of records.” He then adds, “A lot of people out there waiting to see her fail and still keeping her composure as a rookie and leading this team has been a beautiful thing to see.”

And he’s just right. The No. 1 overall draft pick by the Indiana Fever might have taken some time to reach new heights, but the wait was worth it. She’s shattered records from assists to points. Despite being initially limited, Clark has managed to lead the league in assists for the regular season. Even in her last game, she was as dominant as ever, racking up a career-high 35 points. But is she really comparable to LeBron James?

WNBA’s rising star outshines the NBA’s king.

Well, according to the stats, she really is. During his rookie season, the 2003 NBA Draft No. 1 pick averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. King James was dominant right from the start. In his first regular-season game, he scored an impressive 25 points in Cleveland’s loss to the Sacramento Kings.

It might not seem like much, but the score was remarkable considering it was the most points by a prep-to-pro player in their first year. By the end of the season, he was the first Cavalier to receive the Rookie of the Year award. In addition, he was the third player in league history to average over 20 points as a rookie.

Just like him, Clark is a game-changer for the WNBA. Though she might not have been dominant from the beginning, once she found her rhythm, she consistently improved her scores. In fact, she has set more historical records than LeBron James did. She’s the league leader in assists, has made the most three-pointers, and is the first rookie to record not one but two triple-doubles. Despite averaging 19.5 points with 8.4 assists—slightly less than James—she’s excelling in every area. Yet, there’s still one title she’s vying for: Rookie of the Year.