Shaquille O’Neal is aware of firsthand that basketball isn’t all the time a slam dunk.

And it’s very true when simply beginning out within the skilled leagues. It’s why he’s encouraging breakout star Caitlin Clark to energy by a number of the adversity being proven her means throughout her first WNBA season.

“I think they described it as ‘rites of passage’,” the previous NBA participant instructed E! News in an unique interview, alongside his new Lucky 13 gameshow co-host Gina Rodriguez. “When you’re a great college player and come to the professional level, you have to prove yourself.”

“A lot of people think it’s fair, unfair—it’s the nature of our business,” Shaq additional defined. “I had to go through it. Once you pass the rites of passage, everything will be fine.”

And Shaq isn’t the one one encouraging Caitlin to maintain her head up and within the sport. Earlier this 12 months Brittany Mahomes—a former collegiate {and professional} soccer participant—shared a motivational message with the 22-year-old after a difficult sport.

“@caitlinclark22 maintain doing all of your factor!!” Brittany wrote on her Instagram Story June 2. “You’re a baller and it is unbelievable to see what you are doing for the sport and girls’s sports activities!!”