Is Women’s Basketball Legend Dawn Staley a Caitlin Clark Critic in Denial?

In Tuesday’s Big Ten game between Iowa and Michigan State, Caitlin Clark demonstrated her approachable nature even with the game on the line. While it was clear to everyone except the star of the Hawkeye women’s basketball team who would get the ball in the closing seconds, she managed to score the game-winning shot after executing a pump fake, taking a dribble, releasing a step back, and scoring. Clark finished the game with 40 points, five assists, and three steals, putting on another incredible display of outstanding play.

She nailed eight long-range attempts, including the most significant shot of the match. With the final score being 76-73, Michigan State lost to Iowa, who now stands at 14-1 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play.

Dawn Staley’s take on Caitlin Clark

However, despite everyone being in awe of Caitlin’s incredible performance, there was one person who expressed her dissatisfaction. South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley, lamented the refereeing that allowed Iowa’s standout player, Caitlin Clark, to make history with a shot that was witnessed by all.

Staley took to social media to share her thoughts, stating, “Heck of a shot, but credit the ref for the shooting foul call.” Some interpreted this as a reference to Clark not releasing the ball in time. Nevertheless, Molly Davis’s two successful free throws from long range gave Iowa a 73-71 lead.

Michigan State’s DeeDee Hagemann managed to tie the game at 73, but those two points undeniably impacted the final outcome. Staley wants to clarify that she does not hold any animosity towards Caitlin Clark.

As the coach of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, she advocates for her senior player, Aliyah Boston, to be considered for Player of the Year. However, Staley also aims to create space on the national stage for other talented athletes, alongside the Iowa star. She recently shared this goal with Taylor Rooks from Bleacher Report.

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Staley’s narrative as a powerful NCAA coach

Staley is aware of the dominant storylines that may engulf the sport since she is the head coach of the team that is ranked first overall in the NCAA Tournament and a significant figure in the media surrounding women’s collegiate basketball. This season, Clark’s ascent to fame has been one of those stories.

Although Staley acknowledges Clark’s Player of the Year qualifications, she believes there are other players who should be included in the same discussion. “Is it something that Caitlin Clark deserves? Without a doubt,. Is Aliyah Boston deserving of this? Can Cameron Brink really claim this? Sure, let’s tell all the stories, because there are so many deserving people. Let’s not only have one viewpoint.”

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This was the stance of Dawn Staley in the case of Caitlin Clark, and all she cares about is that no other athlete should be shaded while we focus on praising one. As the greatest guard in Division I women’s basketball, Clark is really expected to win the Dawn Staley Award for a third consecutive year, according to Staley.