Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and Larry Bird Ignite a Basketball Revolution with the “Crossroads Classic”

Caitlin Clark, Larry Bird, and Sophie Cunningham Launch High-Stakes “Crossroads Classic”

In a press conference that felt more like a generational shift, Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and NBA legend Larry Bird introduced the Crossroads Classic—a fierce, player-driven showcase designed to shake up women’s basketball.

Slated for next year’s WNBA/NBA All-Star weekend, the event will feature bold new formats: logo-range three-point shootouts, off-the-dribble challenges, and high-octane one-on-one matchups.

Larry Bird—rarely seen in the spotlight—delivered the surprise of the day. “I see a lot of myself in her,” he said of Clark, praising her fire and fearless play. Bird’s also personally designing the modernized shootout format, bringing old-school grit into today’s game.

Clark, who’s faced intense scrutiny in her rookie season, sees the event as a proving ground: “It’s not about silencing critics. It’s about competing.”

Sophie Cunningham, ever the enforcer, made it clear: “You want respect? Earn it.”

With drama baked into the format, and funds supporting youth hoops in Indiana and Arizona, this isn’t a marketing stunt—it’s a revolution. The Crossroads Classic is where rivalries ignite and greatness is tested.