Caitlin Clark Fans Await Huge Distress as National Reporter Denies Iowa’s Iconic No. 22’s Elite Recognition

Let me ask you a question, would you consider someone who’s the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, broke over 42 records as a collegiate player and some more as a rookie in the professional league, the No. 1 WNBA Draft pick, Rookie of the Year, and TIME Athlete of the Year and more at just 22 years of age to be one of the greatest of all time already? You would right?  Yet, despite shattering records and redefining the game at every turn, there are still some who hesitate to place the Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark in the conversation of all-time greats.

Nick Andre of the Best Damn W Show podcast certainly isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on the matter! He shared his stance in a clip from the episode on X with the caption, “Don’t consider your favorite a 🐐 if they didn’t win anything 🤷🏾‍♂️ I thought people loved to play the ring game lol.”

Now what does he say in the video? When asked about Caitlin being one of the greatest by his co-host Jay Holloway, Andre replies, “Nope, respectfully!” He continues, “Caitlin did have a great college career, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t know how you’re gonna put her in the same conversation as other players if she has never won a national championship”

Andre goes on to talk about Breanna Stewart who won four championships with UConn and Candace Parker who won two championships with Tennessee. While I definitely agree with Andre about the fact that the likes of Stewart and Parker have huge contributions to the game we love, but we also can’t ignore the contributions of Clark here.

We are literally talking about an athlete who single-handedly made the WNBA popular as a sport once again! The TV ratings are up, the stadiums are packed, the ticket prices are on the rise, and the viewership is as well! We are talking about a basketball metronome here whose contributions can’t just be measured in championships!

Point in focus, the Caitlin Clark effect! The BBC reports in 2024 that ticket prices for the women’s championship averaged twice as much as the men’s, with some soaring to a staggering $11,000. And it doesn’t stop there, 17 of Iowa’s 19 all-time sellout crowds have happened in just the last three years! Not only did Fever guard and the Hawkeyes dominate Carver-Hawkeye Arena, but they also helped sell out or break attendance records in 30 of 32 games during the 2023-24 NCAA season, even on the road.

And, it’s not just me but also one of the greatest women’s basketball coaches of all time Dawn Staley who believes that the Indiana Fever guard should be considered one of the greatest to grace the sport!

Dawn Staley calls Caitlin a G.O.A.T!

A few weeks before the championship game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa Hawkeyes, Dawn Staley appeared in the Dan Patrick Show and gave Caitlin the ultimate compliment!

She said, “How do I explain? I think she’s the greatest of her time now. I don’t want to ruffle anybody’s feathers, but I also don’t want to, you know, we got a rich history of women’s basketball.” She continues noting that Breanna Stewart is probably still the greatest of all time but Caitlin’s contribution can’t be ignored either.

She says, “We have a player in Breanna Stewart, who won four national titles, and you cannot forget about all the contributors to our game. Caitlin Clark has brought a lot of eyes to our game, and I’m really grateful for her talent. I do think she’s incredible, remarkable, eye-catching. I mean, she’s got great IQ, so I got to give it to her. She is definitely a woman that continues to grow our game.”

And if you thought this was just pre-game hype, you are wrong! After the Gamecocks claimed the championship, Dawn Staley expressed the same sentiment. With tears in her eyes, the Hall of Famer echoed her feelings, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. So Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there you are one of the GOATS of our game and we appreciate you.”

Staley reiterates everything we have felt for the point guard and this debate regarding the greats present in the game. There’s no denying the contribution from the likes of Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, and many more. They have won championships; they have broken many records, and they have made a big impact in women’s sports.

But like I said before and like Staley says, Clark’s game is extremely eye-catching and entertaining, she single-handedly took the Hawkeyes to two NCAA Finals before losing to two powerhouses in LSU and South Carolina.

She has the capability of doing things many in this sport can only dream of and she is still growing as a player! Considering the impact she has had on the sport, there’s zero doubt about her being on the list among the all-time greats already! And considering the moves the Indiana Fever have made in the free agency by getting in DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard, the “trophy debate” might soon be put to rest!

So, what do you think? Does the 23-year-old superstar deserve to be counted among the elite, or do you lean more toward Nick Andre’s perspective? Let us know where you stand!