Is Caitlin Clark the best player ... ever? Five questions about Iowa's transcendent guard
If you haven't caught any of Caitlin Clark's performances of late, you may want to tune in Sunday when Iowa plays before the Super Bowl.
Clark needs 39 points to set the NCAA women's basketball scoring record, currently held by Kelsey Plum. Clark has scored more than 35 points 11 times in 24 games this season, so the mark is not out of reach against Nebraska on the road (1 p.m. ET, Fox).
As the senior guard continues to lead the No. 2 Hawkeyes toward what is shaping up to be a deep March Madness run — perhaps even a return to the Final Four — we assembled a panel of experts to examine where Clark stacks up against past players (hint: don't ask Sheryl Swoopes), what her influence on the game has been, how she'll fare in the WNBA (she is expected to be the No. 1 pick if she declares) and what some of our favorite moments watching her have been.
USA TODAY Sports reporter Lindsay Schnell, columnist Nancy Armour and USA TODAY NETWORK reporter Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register share their thoughts on a player who has inspired the next generation of basketball hoopers:
Do you think Caitlin Clark is the best women’s college player ever? Why?
Lindsay Schnell: Can people please learn to respect their elders? Cheryl Miller would eat Caitlin Clark — and Sabrina Ionescu and most other modern-era players who have been crowned The Next Big Thing — for lunch.
Nancy Armour: She’s certainly in the conversation but, to me, the best is still Cheryl Miller. Miller won two NCAA titles and was a three-time national player of the year at USC. She averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) over her last three seasons and was close her freshman year. And while Miller is significantly behind Clark as far as points scored (3,018), she also played in the days before the 3-point shot. Had a stronger supporting cast, too, which likely caused her to pass up some shots.
Chad Leistikow: Let the LeBron vs. Jordan debates begin. We’re in a different era now than in the 1980s or 1990s. The reality is people weren’t watching women’s basketball on TV decades ago because they couldn’t. Now, every move of Clark’s is being watched – Fox unveiled the “Caitlin Cam” for two hours last weekend – and she constantly and consistently delivers. In today’s social media world, people can turn on a Clark highlight and judge in 3 seconds whether they like her or not. She’s facing more pressure and scrutiny than any women’s basketball player in history, college or pro, and she’s producing at a higher level than ever before. She will smash Plum’s record, perhaps by more than 400 points, while playing fewer games. She’ll soon become the sixth Division I women’s player with 1,000 assists and the No. 3 rebounder in Iowa history. And if you think that she would be stopped by great defenses, check last year’s Final Four game against South Carolina: 41 points and eight assists. Virginia Tech this year is allowing 60 points a game, and she scored 44 in a win. Absolutely, for those reasons and more, she’s the best women’s college player ever.
Will Caitlin Clark be this productive/dominant at the pro level?
Schnell: No — but she won’t need to be. Make no mistake, the WNBA will be a serious adjustment for Clark, just like it was for Plum, Kelsey Mitchell, Ionescu, etc. Everyone in that league is an elite athlete, teams are better equipped to execute defensive game plans and veteran defenders will be anxious to make her look bad. Clark’s range will help tremendously, and her court vision/passing ability will make her an instant playmaker, but over the course of her career she’ll probably average something like 15 points per game. I’m curious to see if she can add any more muscle to her frame, too; that would really help with longevity.
Armour: I think a lot depends on who drafts her. She’s going to be facing elite-level defenses each game, and if she’s her team’s only offensive option, opponents will be able to prioritize shutting her down. But if she goes to a team that has at least one other shooters, it’ll open things up for her.
Leistikow: Don’t want to pretend I’m qualified to answer this one, but Rebecca Lobo probably is. And she said this a few days ago about Clark possibly being the No. 1 pick of the Indiana Fever: “I believe she will put up MVP-caliber numbers as a rookie. While her opponents will be at a different skill level than in college, her teammates will be at another level as well. Her game translates.” Good enough for me.
What is Clark's impact beyond Iowa? Why does she matter so much?
Schnell: It’s not just that little girls want to be like Clark. It’s that little boys want to be like her, too. Clark came along at the perfect time, in the perfect conference (see below about no defense) with the perfect coach who gives her freedom, right when women’s sports were on the verge of exploding in popularity. She’s expedited that trend. Because of how many eyeballs she brings to the game, fans are also falling in love with players like JuJu Watkins (USC) and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame).
Armour: Clark’s impact is immense. I just had a friend tell me she was at a bar over the weekend watching the Iowa-Maryland game, and there were as many men watching the game and/or checking out the score as there were women. This is a watershed time for all of women’s sports, but Clark is taking it to a next level. It feels similar to what Jordan did for the NBA after Magic and Bird had laid the foundation.
Leistikow: She’s the definition of transcendent. The thousands of fans who line up hours before games to catch a glimpse of her, to soak in any moment that she delivers (and she always delivers), has gained her rock-star status. Clark’s rise to prominence during the dawn of the NIL era in college athletics magnifies her impact. The No. 22 jerseys, worn by little girls, little boys and grown adults and even celebrities are commonplace. Major brand sponsors like Nike, Gatorade and State Farm have only accentuated her impact on the national stage. Additionally, she carries herself with a maturity beyond her 22 years and a charisma that captivates her adoring audience.
What is your favorite Clark moment (on or off the court)?
Schnell: Her 3 and-1 that didn’t count vs. Purdue when she launched a 40-footer in hopes of being fouled. She didn’t even look at the rim while the ball was in the air, instead looking at the official and demanding a call. It was vintage Clark: Baiting defenders, complaining to refs and mesmerizing everyone with her undeniable talent. She’s so cocky, and I mean that in the absolute best way. I loved it.
Armour: Any one of the logo 3s is great, of course. But for me, it was both her trash talking during the NCAA tournament and her acceptance of Angel Reese giving it back to her. This has been a staple of men’s sports for decades, and it’s helped fuel interest. It was great to see women get in on it, with Clark leading the way.
Leistikow: When Clark went on ESPN to accept the 2023 Wooden Award, she addressed the so-called controversy about Reese taunting her in the NCAA title game with positive words and class, something that is often missing from Clark conversations over the past 10 months. "We all show our emotions in a different way. Angel is a tremendous, tremendous player,” Clark said. “I have nothing but respect for her. I love her game. The way she rebounds the ball, scores the ball is absolutely incredible. I’m a big fan of her and the entire LSU team. She should never be criticized for what she did.” The way Clark handles herself off the court is as impressive as the stuff she does on it.
Will she lead Iowa to a national title?
Schnell: No. Though we’re seeing an explosion of scoring in the women’s game (about time!), you’ve gotta play defense to win championships. As a general rule, with the exception of Indiana, Big Ten teams don’t really do that. Clark’s supporting cast has been impressive, and Hannah Stuelke in particular has stepped up big-time in the paint, but the Hawkeyes really need one other player who can create her own shot if they’re going to win a title. If Clark comes back for a fifth year though, maybe they pick someone up in the transfer portal ...
Armour: Ooh, that’s a tough one. And I’m probably the wrong person to prognosticate since I was certain South Carolina was winning it all last year! That said, I think Iowa is better built for tournament play this year with the increased role of Hannah Stuelke. I also think the field is more wide open than it was last year, and Iowa being more “battle tested” than the other top teams could work in the Hawkeyes’ favor. I also think Clark and Iowa have some motivation after last year’s loss in the title game.
Leistikow: Could she? Yes. Will she? Probably not. I mean, Iowa is +700 to win the national title and, realistically, the true odds are probably not even that good. There are so many things that would have to fall perfectly for Clark and the Hawkeyes to get one step further than they did in last year’s magical run. This isn’t tennis. It’s not all about how Clark performs in six straight games. Officiating, how her teammates play, how the other team plays and little moments in each game will define how far Iowa advances. When Clark came to Iowa, she vowed to lead the program back to the Final Four. She’s done that. Like the Bulls with Jordan, the Hawkeyes with Clark will always have a chance to cut down the nets.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caitlin Clark: Defining what makes Iowa guard transcendent
