Caitlin Clark’s legendary career at Iowa is nearing its end. And with just one game remaining — the national title game against South Carolina — there has already been a debate about what Clark’s legacy on women’s college basketball will look like.
Notably, is it fair to consider her the greatest of all-time?
When asked about that debate this weekend, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said that she thought Clark needed to win a championship in order to be considered the GOAT. Staley believed that the title currently belongs to former UConn star Brenna Stewart.
Ahead of Sunday’s title game, Clark was asked about the topic. And her answer did not disappoint.
Caitlin Clark: "When you're in the spotlight like this there's gonna be a million different opinions on you. And for as many people that are going to love you, there's going to be people that don't like you. That's the case with every professional athlete, men or women, playing… pic.twitter.com/5SBancFMtM
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) April 6, 2024
She said:
I think the biggest thing for myself is when you’re in the spotlight like this, there’s going to be a million different opinions on you. For as many people that are going to love you, there are going to be people that don’t like you. That’s the case with every professional athlete, men or women, playing at the highest stage.
I think what I’ve been able to do over the course of my career is just focus on the opinions of the people inside our locker room. That’s what I really care about, the people that I love to death, the people that have had my back every single second of my career, have been the ones that have believed in me more than anybody.
To me that’s really the only opinions that I’m concerned with are my teammates, my coaches, my family, the people that I want to make proud every single day.
Fans also loved that response from Clark.
This was how Twitter reacted
💯 ‼️ All that matters…your circle! https://t.co/kpKfLSlwq6
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) April 6, 2024
More people—not just high profile athletes—should listen to Caitlin Clark. If you’re going to do something that makes you stand out from the crowd, there are going to be critics, no matter how well you do. Some people are just fueled by hate, you can’t let them impact your life. https://t.co/W996IpUlnJ
— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) April 6, 2024
Please tell me how you can hate on this athlete? Honestly, she’s brilliant on and off the court. https://t.co/BD2gRRzJ3e
— TBMPT (@BarryMurphyPT) April 6, 2024
Well played, well coached and probably well parented! https://t.co/BMCntIjn2y
— Kirsten Krug (@KirstenKrug) April 6, 2024
Well said. Women and men will have admirers and haters in sports and in life. https://t.co/1MO73ryxwI
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 6, 2024
The inner circle knows. Focus on the inner circle https://t.co/c7D7cL51Zh
— Colleen Hacker, Ph.D.,FNAP (@DrColleenHacker) April 6, 2024
Caitlin Clark: "When you're in the spotlight like this there's gonna be a million different opinions on you. And for as many people that are going to love you, there's going to be people that don't like you. That's the case with every professional athlete, men or women, playing… pic.twitter.com/5SBancFMtM
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) April 6, 2024
At this point, Caitlin Clark for President! https://t.co/9a7KAN7Tbv
— Leslie Pietrzyk (@lesliepwriter)
April 6, 2024
Talk to em 🔥🏀 https://t.co/yl32wOVkae
— Chris Schubert (@jewpacshakurrr) April 6, 2024
Professionalll 💪🏽 https://t.co/FOfeuEuuBy
— PJA (@amandajade32) April 6, 2024
