NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal says Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is experiencing the same tough initiation that many all-time greats faced when they entered professional basketball.

O’Neal made the comments in a recent interview with CNBC Sports while discussing the physical defense Clark has drawn from opponents this season. The four-time NBA champion pointed out that stars often absorb hard fouls and intense pressure early in their careers before earning full respect.

“All the greats have to go through what we call rites of passage. She’s a fabulous player, but we’re not giving you anything, ever. You have to earn it,” O’Neal said.

He added that Clark must respond in a specific way if she wants to silence the critics and claim her place at the top of the league.

“So for her, she needs to toughen up, take those licks, and show them that, ‘These licks don’t bother me,’” O’Neal said.

Once that happens, he believes the rest will follow.

“Once she passes through that, the league will belong to her,” O’Neal continued.

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft out of Iowa, has already rewritten several record books in her young career. She has posted multiple 30-point games, dished out high-volume assists and drawn sellout crowds both at home and on the road.

Yet the physical nature of the defense she faces has become a frequent talking point. Opponents have bumped her, body-checked her and, in one June incident, struck her in the throat. League officials later reviewed that play and issued a suspension.

O’Neal said he saw similar treatment directed at Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson and even boxing legend Muhammad Ali during their rise to prominence. He recalled absorbing plenty of hard fouls himself during his 19 seasons in the NBA.

The former center said professional jealousy often fuels the extra physicality aimed at incoming stars. Veterans test newcomers to see how they respond under pressure.

Clark has mostly stayed focused on basketball rather than complaining about the contact. She continues to shoot deep threes, find open teammates and attack the paint with the same confidence that made her a national sensation in college.

O’Neal encouraged her to keep producing at a high level night after night. Consistent excellence, he said, eventually forces opponents and the broader league to accept a player’s status.

“Keep doing that, and the rites of passage will start to open up, and they will invite you in and give you the throne,” O’Neal said.

The Fever entered the 2026 season with high expectations after Clark’s strong rookie campaign. The team has mixed results at times, but Clark’s individual production has remained steady. She ranks among the league leaders in several major statistical categories.

Clark’s combination of scoring and playmaking is rare. Her ability to stretch the floor with long-range shooting forces defenses to adjust, creating opportunities for teammates.

Still, the conversation around her often shifts from pure basketball to questions of physical treatment and officiating. O’Neal’s advice centers on rising above that noise through toughness and performance.

He stressed that no one hands over respect in professional sports. Players must take the hits, keep competing and prove they belong among the elite.

Clark has shown flashes of exactly that mentality. After hard fouls, she typically returns to the free-throw line or runs the next play without visible frustration. Teammates have praised her focus and competitiveness.

O’Neal’s perspective carries weight because of his own experience as a dominant force who faced constant physical challenges. He understands the mental side of absorbing contact while still performing at a high level.

For Clark, the path forward appears clear in O’Neal’s view. Continue producing, absorb the contact and demonstrate that the physical play will not change her approach to the game.

If she does that successfully, O’Neal believes the WNBA will eventually recognize her as its central figure. The combination of skill, production and resilience would open the door to broader acceptance across the league.

The Fever continue their schedule with several challenging matchups remaining. Clark remains the focal point of opposing game plans, ensuring the physical tests will keep coming.

How she responds in the weeks ahead may determine how quickly that rite of passage concludes and how soon she claims the stature O’Neal predicts awaits her.