LeBron James supports the women's game. Caitlin Clark says 'he's exactly what we need'

CLEVELAND — Caitlin Clark has never met LeBron James. 

But rest assured that Cleveland’s most famous former resident knows about the two-time national player of the year. 

James, the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, is an avid fan of the women’s game and follows it closely. Wednesday night after the Lakers beat the Washington Wizards, he said he doesn’t think “there’s much difference between the men’s and women’s game when it comes to college basketball. I think the popularity comes with the icons they have in the women’s game: You look at Angel Reese, you look at JuJu (Watkins), you look at Caitlin Clark, You look at Paige (Bueckers) … you’re able to build a real iconic legacy at a program.

"That’s what we all love about it. We love the girls game because of that moment you actually get to see those girls (build to). That’s what makes the (women’s) Final Four and Elite Eight so great. Iowa was a great team, but Caitlin Clark is the reason we tuned in.” 

Stars, James knows, matter for TV numbers and popularity. 

“Players, depending on who they are, will drive the attention when it comes to viewership,” he said. 

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At the NBA All-Star game in February, just three days after Clark became the all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball, surpassing former Washington star Kelsey Plum, James was asked about prolific scoring in the pros. He referenced Clark then, too. 

"A lot of you guys have asked, 'What does it feel like to be in a zone?' Once a guy is (in) a zone, there's nothing you can do," James said then. "Once a guy decides he wants to stay in a zone – or you're seeing Caitlin the other night, when she broke the record – there's nothing you can do."

Clark, whose Iowa Hawkeyes will play the UConn Huskies on Friday night in the Final Four, was thrilled to see the man widely considered one of the best to ever do it give her game some love. 

“He knows what he’s talking about,” Clark said. “He pays attention, he supports the game. He doesn’t just talk about it, he really shows up and supports (us). I think that’s the coolest thing, (to have) one of the greatest of all time really helping support and grow women’s basketball. He’s exactly what we need.” 

Earlier this season, James appeared in Nike’s “Only Basketball” commercial featuring a handful of other women’s standouts, including Las Vegas Aces All-Star A’ja Wilson and national freshman of the year Watkins from USC. In the commercial, players are challenging each other, or spectators, to one-on-one. James plays his 9-year-old daughter Zhuri, who doesn’t seem at all intimidated by dad’s game.

Unfortunately, even though James has roots in Cleveland and would probably love to watch the Final Four, it doesn’t work for his schedule. The Lakers host back-to-back games, against the Cavs and the Timberwolves, Saturday and Sunday. 

But Clark is still thrilled to be in James’ hometown, saying “he’s somebody I’ve always idolized. It’s cool to be in Cleveland and play here, a place where his career started and he was able to do so many amazing things.” 

Does that means she’s also planning to play until she’s 40 and score 40,000 points? 

“That wouldn’t be too bad,” Clark said, laughing. “I wouldn’t say no to that.” 

Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com or follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell