Caitlin Clark effect evident for game, out of reverence to her, whether she's on court or not | Opinion

Apr. 5—From the Iowa license plates to the sea of No. 22 jerseys interspersed through Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and around the building beforehand April 5, there was little doubt what — or more specifically, who — had played the most vital role in the alignment of planets that has been this edition of the Women's Final Four.

No doubt, this apex of popularity for women's college basketball — of which we're so fortunate to host here in Northeast Ohio — can be attributed in part to the Caitlin Clark effect.

That was true no matter what occurred in the late tip April 5 as Clark and Iowa took on Connecticut in a national semifinal.

But it is probably also worth pondering the residual nature of that "effect."

The distribution of spotlight as we witness the brightest of lights — a natural cause and effect through no fault of Clark, of course. As well as the "effect" the glare of this spotlight has on Clark, arguably unfair even with the transcendent nature of her skill.

In the waning moments of the Hawkeyes' regional final win over LSU, there was a striking anecdote shared on the ESPN broadcast. There was some down time for Clark's family and friends in Albany, so she encouraged them to go out and capitalize on it. But without her, as she remained back in her room.

That's part of the deal, for better or for worse. She wants her immediate circle to enjoy their experience, but the attention one of the most recognizable faces in the country would garner would make that aspiration more challenging at best.

There's a story in the entertainment industry of a night in Las Vegas in the 90s. An NBC executive took the cast, all relative unknowns, of a show about to premiere for a fun night out on the Vegas Strip. The executive handed each member of the cast money at a casino and said, paraphrasing, "Enjoy this night. Because your lives will never be the same after this."

It was the cast of "Friends," so the executive was right.

That's the tradeoff of instant recognition. Clark has had that recognition throughout her career, and it's exponential now amid this remarkable senior campaign.

As Iowa sat with the media April 4 to preview their semi tilt with UConn, the first four questions and most of the rest were directed to Clark, as one would expect.

Through all of it, here and since Day 1, Clark has displayed a calm and grace that has served her well — even when the spotlight might shine too bright for anyone her age.

Later this year, she will be taking her game to the WNBA, the Indiana Fever with the No. 1 draft pick thrilled to bring a star of her magnitude a couple of states over to pair with Aliyah Boston. The all-time leading scorer in NCAA history is hopeful, whenever her college journey concludes this weekend in Cleveland, that the game is better than she left it.

"I think the parity in our game has certainly helped over the course of the last, you know, whatever, five years," Clark said. "I think there's always been the blue bloods that have always been very good, but over the past Final Fours you've seen maybe teams that haven't been there in 25, 30 years. I think that's really good for our game. It attracts new fans. It showcases new players. It showcases new coaches."

The cacophony and sight were impossible to ignore. People of all ages in Clark shirts and Iowa, "Shoot Like A Girl" and other gear. One man sporting a "Watch More Women's Basketball" hoodie. An ESPN pregame studio set courtside with Boston and the trio of Elle Duncan, Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter, which has become one of the most popular studio pairings in sports TV.

The signs in black and yellow. The neverending wave of fans traveling up and down escalators to find their seats, which were going for an arm and a leg on the secondary market. The general and tangible buzz.

Phones and cameras out tracking her every move, Clark can't escape it in warmups, either. After a pass into the paint for layup, Clark drifted over to the left wing for a 3-point try. It, of course, was true. As was the loud, enveloping ovation as Clark was introduced to the crowd, last in the order all to herself as she so richly merits.

The issue is — again, through no fault of her own — how much does that showcase to which Clark alluded feature everyone else?

Never has the women's college game been this deep or, as Clark alluded, have this much parity.

And it's not that it's reasonable to expect everyone else to get as much attention as Clark does. But that also doesn't mean everyone else isn't deserving of some spotlight as well.

South Carolina came into the Women's Final Four unbeaten. Again.

NC State was a feel-good tale, making its first Final Four appearance since 1998.

They were in the midst of a competitive game early into the second half before Iowa took the floor before South Carolina had other plans.

UConn has a star in its own right in Paige Bueckers and has reached the Final Four with a rotation of six.

And this isn't scratching the surface, when you factor in LSU and Angel Reese, JuJu Watkins and USC and the rapidly developing young talent nationally in the sport.

That Iowa-LSU broke records left and right, generating 12.3 million viewers. A potential Iowa-South Carolina national championship game, should that come to pass, was estimated by pundits to perhaps push for 16 million viewers.

They say a rising tide lifts all boats — and hopefully, this is where the Clark effect in this regard will lead.

"I think it's hard when you're in the moment ... to really recognize and realize what is happening," Iowa's Kate Martin said. "But, I mean, it shows with our viewership versus LSU, 12.3 million viewers. That's something super cool. And that just attracts more fans and that's a good brand of basketball."

But again, at what cost?

Is Clark a 22-year-old college senior from West Des Moines, Iowa, who happens to be arguably the most impactful and best player women's college basketball has ever known?

Or is she arguably the most impactful and best player women's college basketball has ever known who happens to be a 22-year-old college senior from West Des Moines, Iowa?

Because there is an important distinction there.

There is a human being with amazing talent who can't fully embrace the moment.

There is a game with amazing talent that can't spread the spotlight's wealth because the game's brightest star draws so much attention from those who control that element — including a mainstream who, let's be honest, may not know any better as to how to handle it properly.

Even when Clark isn't on the floor, she still is in a way anyway.

That has been so important for women's college basketball.

But the effect it has had on the game — and on Clark — is worth scrutinizing just a little more.