The NBA is a global phenomenon that basketball fans around the world tune into to watch their favorite players. Stars such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James have kept the league prominent among sports fans for decades.
With James nearing retirement, the NBA is searching for its next face of the league. A sports analyst recently noted that WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark has exposed a significant challenge the NBA is about to face.
Nick Wright Believes Caitlin Clark is a Bigger Star Compared to Younger NBA Stars Today
The NBA has produced many stars over the years. This generation’s talent pool includes Anthony Edwards, Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokić.
Despite their success, sports analyst Nick Wright argued that the WNBA’s Caitlin Clark is an even bigger star than today’s NBA players. He added that the NBA remains most closely associated with names such as James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, all of whom are in the later stages of their careers.
“The single most famous basketball player under the age of 35 years old is Caitlin Clark,” Wright said. “The three most famous basketball players right now are 41-year-old LeBron James, and then 37 and 38-year-old Steph and KD.”
Wright explained that while players such as Dončić and Edwards are flourishing, they have yet to reach the global popularity achieved by Clark, Curry, Durant, and James.
“Anthony Edwards, Luka, Jokić, Giannis, those guys have not ascended to that level (of popularity),” Wright added. “That is the major issue facing the league.”
Wright believes the NBA will now invest heavily in marketing San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
“They don’t right now have a solve to, and they’re hoping Wemby will solve it,” Wright concluded.
“The single most famous basketball player under the age of 35 is Caitlin Clark. The 3 most famous basketball players right now are 41-year-old LeBron James, & then 37, 38-year-old Steph [Curry], & [Kevin Durant].”
—Nick Wright 🤔
(via @WhatsWrightShow)pic.twitter.com/alMkBm26Zy
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026
Before being drafted, Wembanyama was considered the most highly regarded basketball prospect since James in 2003. The hype surrounding him continues and may elevate his popularity to the heights James has reached in his 23‑year career.
Wembanyama’s accolades include the 2023‑24 NBA Rookie of the Year award, and he is now a two‑time All‑Star. In his third NBA season, he has made the Spurs contenders, with the team currently in second place in the Western Conference at 38‑16.
