The respect between Caitlin Clark and Dawn Staley is real

There's always a winner and a loser, especially as it relates to a national championship game.

On one side is elation, and on the other dejection. That's a reality that's tough to escape, especially when you're on the losing side of the spectrum. In regard to Iowa and South Carolina's women's championship game bout this past weekend, though, something close to a win-win was approached.

Yes, Iowa and superstar guard Caitlin Clark walked away heartbroken after an 87-75 loss at the hands of the Gamecocks, but specific to Clark herself -- she can walk away from the loss with her head held high.

She didn't need a championship to prove that she's arguably the greatest college hooper of all time, regardless if we're talking about men's or women's basketball. Yes, a championship would have been great, but just look at how she's changed the sport, and brought eyeballs (millions of sets) to the women's game.

Even while celebrating a championship, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley couldn't help gush about her opponent.

“I really would just like to say that I have to congratulate Iowa on an incredible season. Awesome. Awesome. And I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport," Staley said after the win, per On3. "She carried a heavy load for our sport and it just is not going to stop here on the collegiate tour, but when she is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, she’s going to lift that league up as well."

That's the ultimate sign of respect from an opposing coach, and it's worth noting that Clark reciprocated the respect for Staley, a now three-time national champion head coach.

“I think any time someone like Coach Staley is able to recognize you and what you did for the game is obviously pretty special,” Clark said. “Obviously she’s someone I respect so much. I respect what she’s done for South Carolina. I respect what she did as a player for our game. Any time you can get the praises of her is pretty special. So it means a lot.”

As they say, "Game respect game", and these two are two of the absolute legends of the women's game. The respect is well-deserved and hard-earned.