Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark couldn’t help but notice the massive interest in women’s basketball in the NCAA Tournament this 2024, and sure enough, she couldn’t be any happier about it.
Of course, as everyone knows, Clark is a big reason for the boom of college women’s hoops over the past couple of years, but especially this season.
Caitlin Clark on Real March Madness for Women’s Basketball
Speaking to reporters after the Hawkeyes’ dominant win against the Holy Cross Crusaders in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Clark highlighted the massive spotlight that has been given to women’s basketball in the competition.
Unlike in year’s past, the women’s game has seen an increased coverage, with ticket sales also seeing a massive uptick as interest in the sport increases.
Clark shared her belief that fans appear to be more excited about the women’s game than the men’s side, which she definitely love. The sharpshooter also shared her hope that the game can only continue growing from there.
“People are more excited about the women’s side than the men’s side, and I think that’s obviously something that’s really never been the case before. It’s cool to see how it’s evolved. When I first started this as a freshman, we couldn’t even use the March Madness branding and now, it’s taken another level. I expect it to continue to grow this year,” Clark said, via Hawkeyes reporter Blake Hornstein.
It’s definitely great to see the women’s game get plenty of love and recognition from fans. It should go a long way in improving the state of women’s sports in general as well.
Caitlin Clark’s Impact on NCAA Tournament, Women’s Sport
For what it’s worth, though, Caitlin Clark deserves plenty of credit for her contributions in bringing attention to the game. With her generational talent, she was able to turn heads and make everyone look at the women’s game after years of largely overlooking it.
Clark is a special talent, and she deserves all the attention and praise she’s getting. As faithful followers would know, the 22-year-old is already the leading scorer in NCAA history for both men and women.
Even legends of the game has acknowledged that Clark is the best thing that has happened to women’s basketball. Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman even went as far as to saying that she’s the GOAT with her Michael Jordan-like impact to the sport.
“She is legitimately the GOAT, I don’t really care what anybody else [thinks]. Nobody in the history of the game has done what she’s done,” Lieberman said. “I’m sure some people will say she has to win a championship and I agree a championship means something. [But] Michael Jordan didn’t win a championship for the first [seven] years he was in the league. What Caitlin has done economically for women – she’s the GOAT.”
Sure enough, no one can argue against that.
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