When Iowa plays South Carolina for the national championship, Caitlin Clark will make a final bow. Clark would prefer not to consider that or is unwilling to discuss it. Later on, that will happen. Most likely a lot later.
Indeed, the Iowa star notices the crowded seats. Every time she makes another 3-pointer from the logo, you can hear the applause from the audience. Perceives the mass of media surrounding her. Doesn’t need to be reminded that, for the past four months, her name has been trending almost everywhere, changing both her life and, to some extent, her sport.
In fact, some of this was planned by the all-time top scorer in Division I of the NCAA history. After suffering a heartbreaking defeat to LSU in the national championship game a year prior, Clark’s only concern was getting back.
After one season of revolutionary changes, that time has come. In the final game of her incredible academic career, Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Hawkeyes and South Carolina, who are undefeated, will provide Clark the opportunity to cross off one more item from her extremely impressive résumé.
There is plenty to consider. But Clark is determined that she does not want the scoreboard to define her, win or lose. There’s a lot to consider.
Though, Clark is certain that she doesn’t require a scoreboard to describe her, win or lose. Although she is clearly intent on winning, the 22-year-old claims that her accomplishments off the court significantly outweigh her accomplishments over the previous four seasons.
This weekend, the proof was found all over the place. When Iowa’s open practice began on Saturday, the arena was almost full when Clark’s now-iconic No. 22 hit the floor.
The first time she handled the ball, she easily sunk a 3-pointer from the wing, her splash through the net accompanied by an audible noise spike as she rushed out toward her fellow players in a black jersey, shorts, and socks. For fifty mostly informal minutes, that’s how it was.
There was never any camera stumbling around the arena. Nothing actually stopped the audience from talking. When Clark is added, it never truly does.
For over a year, things have been that way. She has handled everything with a rare grace, embracing the limelight if only to guide it in her own direction. Instead of seeing herself as a unique individual, Clark sees herself as a component of the emerging ecosystem in women’s sports. Yes, a record 14.2 million viewers saw Iowa’s victory over UConn on Friday evening. It’s not a one-off in her opinion.
Clark stated, “I think you see it throughout the board, whether it’s softball, gymnastics, or volleyball.” “People are eager to see. The facts and data simply demonstrate that people adore it when given the chance.” They especially adore Clark, which is a full-circle event for Clark that she never anticipated.
They especially adore Clark, which is a full-circle event for Clark that she never anticipated. Having been a part of the “Jimmer-Mania” that accompanied former BYU sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette as a child, she recalls.