Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal says the physical, sometimes hostile treatment Caitlin Clark has faced from opposing WNBA players amounts to a familiar rite of passage that every all-time great athlete has had to endure, offering a defense of the league's rough handling of the Indiana Fever star as she navigates her third professional season. Clark addressed the incident publicly on July 3, saying that officiating needs to improve and that the league needs to do a better job protecting players on the court. Continuing to Make History Despite the PhysicalityEven amid the ongoing controversy, Clark has continued producing standout performances and setting new league records. On July 17, Clark scored a career-high 45 points in a game against the Seattle Storm. Support From Other NBA FiguresO'Neal is not the only prominent NBA figure to publicly encourage Clark to push through the physical treatment she has faced.