Caitlin Clark Alone Did Not Impact the Women’s Basketball Team, Argues Disappointed NBA Veteran

Cheers to Caitlin Clark for her accolades in women’s basketball! About 18.9 million viewers tuned in to watch South Carolina defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes, and this is certainly a big change. Especially when compared to the UConn vs. Purdue game, which averaged 14.82 million views. Clark has proven her abilities with every game and continues to uplift women’s sports, even after she lost her chance to clinch an NCAA championship title. However, one NBA veteran recently claimed that she is not alone in this trajectory, and other star players also played their roles in making it possible.

In a recent episode of The Mark Jackson Show, former NBA player and coach Mark Jackson claimed that Caitlin Clark isn’t the only one leaving a mark in the game. While his son called him out saying “Hater Alert,” Jackson spontaneously explained that he wasn’t disrespecting the 22-year-old WNBA star. Significantly, his narrative was more about elevating the other players to the podium. Speaking of Clark’s impact against South Carolina, Jackson claimed, “No, she didn’t. I say this respectfully, she has certainly played a huge part, the biggest part; but it wasn’t a solo act. LSU is involved, South Carolina’s involved, Stanford’s involved, it was teams all throughout that tournament that made you root for them and embrace them individually and collectively, and I’m not hating.”

After witnessing Clark’s game, many have now begun to label her as the ‘GOAT’. 

READ MORE: Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese: March Madness Stats Comparison Between NCAA Giants

Chris Broussard doesn’t believe in Caitlin Clark being the GOAT

Even at the mock draft, Caitlin Clark was the first pick. However, as she lost her last chance to lead the Hawkeyes to the championship title, some people also had their doubts about this recognition. Clark is currently the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s basketball. But a lack of championship title has kept her lingering on the edge.

NBA veteran Chris Broussard explained the reason behind the ‘GOAT’ conversation surrounding Caitlin Clark, pointing at the impacts she has had on the game. However, he also said that Clark is yet to reach that position. “She’s on the periphery because of what she’s accomplished, the impact on the game, but she’s not the G.O.A.T… You’re in the conversation without a (championship) ring,” Broussard said in one of the latest segments of ‘First Things First.’ 

On the other hand, South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley proudly presented the title to Caitlin Clark. The coach has always emphasized the importance of a championship, highlighting the players’ abilities and skills that can get discredited if they don’t have a championship ring to back them up. What is your take on this? Do you consider Clark the ‘GOAT’ of women’s basketball?

READ MORE: Who’s Caitlin Clark Facing Off in 1st Round of March Madness? Everything You Need to Know About Iowa’s First Opponent in NCAA Tournament