One of the best women’s college basketball players in the nation, Caitlin Clark captured our attention in the last two seasons. A very humbled young woman, we got to see the grit and dedication she displayed in the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament. Leading the Iowa Lady Hawkeyes to the National Championship title game in 2023 and 2024, Caitlin’s rise to stardom has arrived without hypocrisy.
From her “can’t see me” gesture upon hitting a big shot, everyone was wondering who this young woman was outdueling her peers. In the National Title game in 2023 versus Louisiana State Tigers, she was the center of “controversy” with LSU star Angel Reese. As Reese signaled the gesture at Caitlin, it became a bigger story. Even in defeat, Caitlin was a true sport, and no harm was done.
Even as she was chasing greatness in her swan song with Iowa, a national title was the only missing accolade on her collegiate career. Shattering records while catching the ire of former women’s basketball players. It became more about the person versus appreciating the display of competition Caitlin possessed. Race became involved as to how she became popular versus the likes of JuJu Watkins, Deja Kelly, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, just to name a few young women who played this year as well.
Caitlin Clark endured harsh realities being a talented young white athlete. In a sport where women have fought to be seen and heard, Caitlin wasn’t fazed by the hate. She led Iowa to the national title game while beating defending champions LSU and UConn along the way. The only team standing in her way was the new women’s college basketball dynasty in South Carolina.
With South Carolina being well-coached by Dawn Staley, this was the game Caitlin and Iowa had no legitimate chance of winning. The interior play of South Carolina hurt the Hawkeyes and not even Caitlin’s three-point shooting couldn't save them. In the end, South Carolina finished the season undefeated, whereas Iowa’s magical season ended in a loss. During the postgame interview, Dawn Staley gave Caitlin her flowers for bringing attention to women’s college basketball. To receive high praise from a former Olympian speaks volumes.
More viewers tuned in for the women’s national title game with record numbers of 18.9 million. We were more enthused about the women’s national final versus who was playing the next night in the men’s national final. The
growth and attention have been highlighted by Caitlin Clark leaving her mark on women’s basketball. While she didn’t win a national title, we can’t omit the accolades she checked off.
With the WNBA Draft on the horizon, she’s projected to go number one to the Indiana Fever, who selected Aliyah Boston last season, and the WNBA was able to flex thirty-six of the Fever’s forty games to primetime. Plus, when the Fever head west to play defending champion Las Vegas Aces, that game will be played in the Golden Knights hockey arena. The impact Caitlin Clark already has on the WNBA without playing a single game is shifting. Fans will line up to see the next great WNBA player who can save the league. It’s a tall challenge for a rookie, but with her swagger and competitiveness, the sky’s the limit for Caitlin Clark.
Stai tuned.
