'You are one of the GOATs!' Emotional Dawn Staley thanks superstar rival Caitlin Clark after NCAA championship win

The South Carolina Gamecocks have reached the finish line! After an exciting NCAA college basketball season, they defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes to claim victory. The Gamecocks finished their unbeaten season by winning the NCAA championship this past Sunday.

Amongst the main reasons for this one-for-the-books season is Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. The leading scorer received her flowers with a classy act from her opponent. After winning the national championship, South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley, took a moment to acknowledge Clark’s impact on the game.

I wanna personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport, she carried a heavy load for our sport and it's not gonna stop here on a collegian tour but when she's the number 1 pick in the WNBA draft she's gonna lift that league up as well. So Caitlin Clark, if you're out there you are one of the GOATS of our game and we appreciate you. Dawn Staley said from the Championship podium

Clark’s influence on the league is certainly one of a kind, as the player has drawn one of the largest audiences for women’s college basketball. The women received similar or maybe even better treatment than men basketball during this year’s March Madness. Despite the loss, Clark will be the most compelling player of this season.