One thing that the NCAA fans desired this season was to witness Caitlin Clark lift the National Championship for the first and the last time in her collegiate career. Devastatingly, the South Carolina Gamecocks under Dawn Staley’s guidance gave the Iowa Hawkeyes an 87-75 loss in the Finals, thus putting an end to Clark’s chance to win an NCAA title. But, the 22-year-old’s historic season will not be forgotten for ages to come. Appreciations have been pouring out for Clark over the past few hours, but Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade‘s loyal message and Magic Johnson’s high praise might have stolen the show on the internet.
Clark’s chances for a title in the NCAA are over, but she is about to enter the WNBA in a few months. That was promising enough for Wade. He tweeted, “Caitlin Clark, Thank you for raising all of our awareness even more this season. Us fans can’t wait to follow your pro career.” That’s how you celebrate a champion! Oh, Magic did it too.
Caitlin Clark ⭐️ Thank you for raising all of our awareness even more this season. Us fans can’t wait to follow your pro career 🫡
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 7, 2024
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The Los Angeles Lakers legend wrote on Twitter, “Caitlin Clark’s extraordinary play this season has been the catalyst for growing women’s basketball, with record-breaking viewership throughout the tournament. She deserves her flowers and I want to congratulate her on an incredible collegiate career!”
Caitlin Clark’s extraordinary play this season has been the catalyst for growing women’s basketball, with record-breaking viewership throughout the tournament. She deserves her flowers and I want to congratulate her on an incredible collegiate career! 💐💐💐 @CaitlinClark22
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 7, 2024
WNBA legend Sue Bird, a 2-time NCAA title winner, knows what it takes to be a champion more than anybody. And she had nothing but respect for the Iowa Hawkeyes sensation. She shared, “What a season @IowaWBB and what a career @CaitlinClark22. We undoubtedly watched one of the all time best college careers….ring or not. Thank you for helping elevate our sport with your play, your poise, and of course your logo 3’s! I can’t wait to watch you at the next level!”
What a season @IowaWBB and what a career @CaitlinClark22. We undoubtedly watched one of the all time best college careers….ring or not. Thank you for helping elevate our sport with your play, your poise, and of course your logo 3’s! I can’t wait to watch you at the next level!
— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) April 7, 2024
All good things come to an end, but Clark’s run for a title is not over yet!
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How the WNBA realm might change when Clark joins the Indiana Fever?
The Indiana Fever has been blessed with the first pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. Clark has the potential to change the fate of a franchise that has not won a championship since 2012. However, the 22-year-old’s decision to go pro is more beneficial for the WNBA, than just the Fever. As Magic Johnson mentioned above, Clark can change the viewership metric of the WNBA soon. Her Elite Eight game against the LSU Tigers garnered 12.3 million viewers, while her Final Four match-up with the UConn Huskies logged in 14.2 million viewers.
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The above Final Four numbers are higher than any NBA game played last season, including all 5 games of the Finals. It is also higher than any game played in the MLB last season. And soon, we might witness WNBA break records like this, and Clark is going to be the reason behind it. Let’s hope this one-man show continues when Clark joins the Indiana Fever!