Washington (AFP) – Caitlin Clark’s incredible college basketball career is down to the final games, but the 22-year-old University of Iowa guard’s impact figures to be felt for a long time to come.
Clark’s deadly skills as a 3-point sharpshooter have made her an iconic talent, taking the all-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s scoring record and attracting sellout crowds and huge television audiences in the process.
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When she scored 35 points in her final regular-season game, Clark overtook 1960s star Pete Maravich for the NCAA major college scoring record — for men or women.
In the process, a girl from Iowa’s state capital of Des Moines has become a global icon, sellout crowds watching her every game and sponsors inking deals even before she departs for the Women’s NBA, with Indiana likely to make her a top draft pick.
“It’s hard to wrap my head around having an impact globally. That’s my goal and my dream and what I want to do,” Clark said. “It’s super cool to see who we have an impact on in our state and also in our country, but certainly around the world, too.”
The “Caitlin Clark Effect” has produced “Clarkies” the way singer Taylor Swift has her “Swifties” followers.
Iowa’s women’s team sets attendance records wherever it plays and record viewership marks. Resale prices hit $500 for game tickets and will likely leap even higher for March Madness, with the Hawkeyes a top seed in the NCAA women’s tournament and playing their first game at home on Saturday.
“I’m just happy for our program, first one seed since 1992, so it’s pretty impressive,” Clark said. “It’s really important now, knowing every time I take the court could be my last. I’m soaking that in and going out there and playing my heart out. More than anything I’m excited.”
The 6-foot (1.83m) phenomenon finds herself a hero to all who admire her talent.
“It’s really special, being able to be a role model for all those young girls, but also young boys too,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of young boys that look up to us. People young and old idolize our team, and that’s one of the coolest things.”
NCAA rule changes have allowed her to accept endorsement deals with such sponsors as Nike, Gatorade and State Farm, even finding her way onto TV commercials while still in school.
“What we’re doing for women’s basketball is tremendous,” Clark said. “You’re seeing the parity (with men) across the sport be improved more and more and that’s what’s attracting more people to our game, the talent level. People want to watch. When you’re given an opportunity and put on this stage, people show up and want to pay attention. We never take that for granted.”
– ‘It’s pretty amazing’ –
Clark has proven nearly unstoppable, hitting long-range jump shots and working her teammates into the attack as well, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “That’s mind-boggling when you think about it. Everybody’s defensive plan is to stop her and nobody has been able to figure out really how to do it,” Bluder said. “She has faced every kind of defense. She really knows how to pick them apart. It’s pretty amazing.”
Bluder said success has not gone to Clark’s head. “Us coaches and her teammates keep her head on straight,” Bluder said. “When you’re 22 and getting this kind of attention, these kind of (sponsor) deals, it’s hard to keep your head on straight. It takes a great amount of maturity, of parental support, but I think also it’s her ability to be humble and laugh at herself.”
Bluder’s team played before 55,000 at the campus football stadium. “I played in the ’70s and there were barely 50 people in the stands,” Bluder said. “Very thankful for where we are. Can we keep growing? You bet. Why not?”
Iowa’s tournament draw is a difficult one. Last year the Hawkeyes lost to Louisiana State in the final. This year, they could face a quarter-finals rematch. “The biggest thing for me is just enjoy every single second,” Clark said. “If you don’t have it for one night, your season’s over in the blink of an eye. But if you do have it, you can put a special run together.”
© 2024 AFP
