ESPN's awkward exploration into race in sports featuring Cooper Flagg is framed by this statement: "Let's not act as if we don't live in America and we're not seeing what's happening with Caitlin Clark in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark might only be in her second season, but Dallas Mavericks draft pick Cooper Flagg already has her on his WNBA Mount Rushmore.

ESPN Gets Major Backlash for Cooper Flagg-Caitlin Clark 'White American' Rant originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Over the last few days, ESPN has taken considerable lumps for the way it covered the 2025 NBA draft, packed as it was with uncomfortable moments marked by more shouting than analysis.