ESPN star Peter Rosenberg sparks new Caitlin Clark ‘race’ storm with claim about NBA prospect Cooper Flagg

ESPN star Peter Rosenberg sparks new Caitlin Clark 'race' storm with claim about NBA prospect Cooper Flagg

Caitlin Clark has been dragged into yet another debate about race after Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the NBA draft.

The 18-year-old, considered one of the most exciting prospects of recent times, was  taken by the Dallas Mavericks with the No 1 pick this week.

Flagg has been tipped to become a basketball superstar, much like Caitlin Clark, who has lifted the WNBA to new heights since joining the Indiana Fever.

But Clark has also become a lightning rod for discussions around race since joining the league, with some accusing her rivals of bullying and jealousy, while others have suggested she benefits from ‘white privilege’.

Now the WNBA star finds herself at the center of another storm after ESPN analyst Peter Rosenberg compared her and Flagg.

Rosenberg was accused of ‘race-baiting’ during his appearance on First Take, when he discussed Flagg’s potential impact in the NBA.

Peter Rosenberg: “Cooper Flagg is a white guy, maybe the best white American prospect since Larry Bird. 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… if he’s nearly as good as people expect… no one’s going… pic.twitter.com/15nKGXIpi0

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025 Cooper Flagg Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark has been dragged into another race debate after Cooper Flagg joined the NBA

‘We’re all adults, we can have a real-life conversation,’ he said. ‘Last time I checked, we still live in America. Cooper Flagg is a white guy, maybe the best white American prospect since Larry Bird. 

‘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. 

‘Cooper Flagg is going to be an instant impact player in the NBA. He is ready to go. That kid could play right now. 

‘If he’s nearly as good as people expect then I think when it comes to “intrigue” – that people are talking about day to day – no one is going to be more intriguing and get more eyeballs than Cooper Flagg in Dallas.’

But Rosenberg came under fire from some basketball fans for bringing up race. 

‘Caitlin Clark isn’t getting attention because she’s white, she’s getting attention because she’s a generational talent,’ one said on social media. 

‘Cooper Flagg is intriguing because he’s the best college basketball player we’ve seen in a long time Why does ESPN always have to make it about race?’

Another fan echoed those thoughts, claiming it was ‘sad’ and ‘pitiful’ that race had been brought into the conversation. ‘This is very cringe, ESPN should be ashamed of themselves,’ a third said. 

But others defended Rosenberg. ‘He’s right,’ said one fan, while another agreed that Clark is being treated differently because she is white.

‘If she was any other race but just as talented, her current fans would not support her,’ they said.

Related Posts

Why Luka Doncic’s new 5m Lakers deal could force LeBron James to demand a trade

Why Luka Doncic’s new $165m Lakers deal could force LeBron James to demand a trade

There’s a changing of the guard at the Los Angeles Lakers and as things stands, LeBron James isn’t completely comfortable with it. The trade to bring Luka…

Ex-NBA star Nate Robinson admits he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he can’t get a kidney replacement, as three-time Dunk Contest champion tells Mail Sport he’d only survive ‘a week or two’ without dialysis machine

Ex-NBA star Nate Robinson admits he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he can’t get a kidney replacement, as three-time Dunk Contest champion tells Mail Sport he’d only survive ‘a week or two’ without dialysis machine

Most watched Sport videos Two years after announcing his renal kidney failure diagnosis, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson has admitted he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he…

NBA owner makes record 5m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

NBA owner makes record $325m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

The group led by former NBA owner Steve Pagliuca has officially made a record $325million offer to by the Connecticut Sun. However, his bid might not be…

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Most watched Sport videos Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig thought he had an uncontested fast break in Tuesday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Teammate Andre Drummond…

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Most watched Sport videos Draymond Green was given a heartfelt reply by his Golden State Warriors teammate Klay Thompson when he asked the guard for his ‘brutally…

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Most watched Sport videos A Tennessee judge has ruled that Ja Morant acted in self defense when the Grizzlies star punched a teenager at his Memphis mansion…