Magic Johnson admires how Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese deal with the hype while uplifting the WNBA

Magic Johnson admires how Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are handling the glaring spotlight of expectations and living up to the moments with record-setting performances while uplifting a league.

Johnson knows firsthand what that's like; he and Larry Bird did it 45 years ago.

“Those two, especially Caitlin, are definitely a direct result for what’s going on” in the WNBA, the former Lakers great and now majority owner of the Los Angeles Sparks said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “They’ve changed college basketball. The ratings don’t lie, the numbers don’t lie. Then we see it right now, probably more Caitlin than Angel, coming into the league because she’s selling out arenas.

“Caitlin is drawing 19,000. Angel isn’t there yet, but I’m sure she’ll get there.”