What Makes a Superstar? Arenas Shares the One Trait That Counts
Gilbert Arenas has never been shy about speaking his mind, but this time, he hit a nerve. On a recent podcast appearance, Arenas claimed that there are only three true superstars in basketball today: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Caitlin Clark. No, he didn’t forget Giannis, Jokic, Embiid, or Durant—he just doesn’t think they meet the one requirement he believes defines a real superstar.
According to Arenas, it’s not just about talent, titles, or even being the best player in the league. For him, a true superstar has that rare, magnetic presence that pulls in people who don’t even follow basketball. It’s about cultural influence, brand power, and how much someone’s name echoes beyond the court. It’s about being someone who shapes conversations, trends, and even industries.
Let that sink in. Arenas is saying that it’s not enough to drop 30 a night or win MVP. If your name doesn’t spark instant recognition from the average person on the street, you’re not a superstar in his book.
And that’s where his list comes in.
The Star Power of LeBron, Curry, and Clark
LeBron James
Let’s start with the obvious. LeBron has been a household name for two decades. He’s not just an athlete; he’s a brand, an activist, a filmmaker, and a symbol. He sells out arenas no matter what city he’s in. When he speaks, people listen—whether it’s about basketball, politics, or social issues.
You could argue that LeBron has become bigger than basketball itself. From high school phenom to global icon, his journey has been front and center for years. Even casual fans who haven’t watched a full game in months still know who LeBron is, what team he’s on, and probably even how his son Bronny is doing.
For Arenas, LeBron is the gold standard. He’s not on this list because of his four championships or his all-time scoring record. He’s on it because he moves the culture. His name alone can light up an arena or dominate a news cycle.
Stephen Curry
Then there’s Steph. Some might argue that Steph is less flashy or vocal than LeBron, but his impact is just as strong. Curry didn’t just change how the game is played—he changed how it’s watched, how it’s taught, and even how it’s marketed.
Go to any playground, high school, or youth camp, and you’ll see kids launching deep threes and trying to perfect that lightning-quick release. That’s Steph’s legacy. He made the deep three cool. He made it something everyone wanted to copy.
But Arenas wasn’t just talking about gameplay. He was talking about presence. And Curry has it. His jerseys are everywhere. His name trends with just a single highlight. He has that same gravitational pull that makes even non-fans stop and watch.
In short, Steph didn’t just play in the NBA—he reshaped it. That’s superstar material.
Caitlin Clark
Now here’s the most surprising name on the list for some: Caitlin Clark. She’s only in her rookie WNBA season, but Arenas says she’s already one of the three biggest superstars in basketball.
It’s not hard to see why. Even before she played her first WNBA game, Clark had packed college arenas and broken television viewership records. When she entered the league, ticket sales skyrocketed, TV ratings soared, and every city she visited felt like a tour stop from a megastar.
Caitlin isn’t just a player—she’s a movement. She’s brought more attention to women’s basketball than anyone in recent memory. Her impact has already reached across gender lines, fan bases, and even sports media coverage.
Arenas believes she’s doing what no one else in the women’s game has done on this scale. Her name sells tickets. Her games trend online. Her highlights are shared by people who’ve never watched a WNBA game before. That’s not hype—that’s reach. And that’s what makes a superstar.
Why This List Has Fans Talking
As you can imagine, this take caught fire online. Fans debated, argued, agreed, and threw out their own names.
Some were shocked that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, or even Kevin Durant didn’t make the cut. These are generational talents, MVPs, and champions. But Arenas didn’t flinch. For him, the line is clear. You can be great at basketball. You can be an elite player. But to be a superstar? You have to be unforgettable—beyond the court.
And a lot of fans actually agreed. One person posted, “Arenas keeping it real. Caitlin Clark is already bigger than half the NBA.” Another wrote, “I love Giannis, but when he talks, does the world stop? No. But it does for LeBron.”
Others weren’t so sure. “No Luka? No KD? That’s just disrespectful,” a commenter fired back. And maybe they have a point. But Arenas wasn’t trying to be polite—he was drawing a line in the sand.
This list also says something bigger about where basketball is heading. Star power isn’t just about the game anymore. It’s about who commands attention, who defines the conversation, and who can make someone who doesn’t even like basketball stop scrolling and start watching.
That’s why this moment matters. Because it forces us to rethink what we mean when we talk about “superstars.” It’s not just numbers. It’s not just trophies. It’s the impact you have, the way you change the temperature of the room the second your name comes up.
And whether you agree with Arenas or not, you can’t deny that these three—LeBron, Steph, and Caitlin—are doing exactly that.