Coquese Washington was having coffee in New Brunswick, New Jersey, one morning this offseason when a guy who appeared to be a construction worker noticed her Rutgers women’s basketball jersey.
“What about this Caitlin Clark?” he said, according to Rutgers head coach Washington.
She’s noticed this kind of thing a lot this year. “There were so many more tangential fans talking and interested in women’s basketball.”
There are many reasons for this, but at the top of the list is Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, who has elevated her program, the Big Ten, and women’s basketball with her dazzling play.
No player or topic was discussed more during Big Ten media day last month in Minneapolis. As Clark prepares to return to the national stage on Tuesday – No. 3 Iowa takes on No. 8 Virginia Tech in an early-season matchup between two Final Four teams of the year (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 ) – it’s worth reviewing what the senior has already accomplished.
“We don’t see any girls coming out of the logo”
Reducing Clark, a 6-foot point guard, to statistics doesn’t do him any favors. But let’s look back at some numbers from last season: 27.8 points (second in the country), 8.1 assists (first) and 7.1 rebounds per game; five triple-doubles and four 40-point games, including a performance that checked both boxes, against Louisville in the NCAA tournament; at least one 3-point basket in 38 games.
Clark had a 30 point, 17 assist and 10 rebound outing and a 28 point, 15 assist and 10 rebound outing, and those were just his two games against Ohio State.
She won the national Player of the Year award. In Iowa’s season opener Monday, Clark had 28 points and 10 assists in a blowout victory.
“She plays exciting basketball,” said Purdue fifth-year senior Abbey Ellis. “It’s a little different. We don’t see any girls coming out of the logo.
Clark has unlimited range and ability to shoot off the dribble. And once again she ruled the country help. This combination of scoring and distribution leaves opposing coaches in a real bind.
“We tried different things,” Penn State coach Carolyn Kieger said. “We allowed her to be the main scorer (and she scored 32). We tried to take that away from her and she had 18 assists. Choose your poison.”
Other coaches resorted to jokes when asked what their game plan was against Clark. “You pray,” said Purdue’s Katie Gearlds. “I hope she doesn’t get off the bus.” Just lots of prayer.
Northwestern’s Joe McKeown said in his comments at the podium that he had two ideas on his flight to Minneapolis. Turning serious, he said he’s had defensive-minded guards in recent years who took pride in their mission and were willing to live with Clark to make tough shots. “She’s going to make you look bad sometimes,” McKeown said. “You have to play through it.”
Northwestern beat Iowa in the first three meetings against Clark. She seemingly adapted after winning the last three.
“My 10 year old son loves watching her play”
Clark’s skills are one thing. His swagger is another. “His confidence is just overflowing,” Gearlds said.
Illinois senior Kendall Bostic is a fan. “The energy that she plays with, people didn’t like it at first but they’re embracing that intensity now,” she said.
Clark was a phenom as a freshman. In the second year, she scored 25 points in the fourth quarter at Michigan. But last season, she became a national sensation. A deep run to the NCAA tournament can do that for a player, and Clark carried Iowa to the national championship game.
She had the aforementioned 41-point triple-double against Louisville in the Elite Eight, and went viral for some of her back-and-forths with feisty Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith. She dropped another 41 points in the Final Four to upset defending champion South Carolina, ending that program’s 42-game winning streak.
The national championship loss to Angel Reese and LSU dominated the sports media news cycle for days, with the resulting momentum carrying into the WNBA season and beyond.
“He’s a national brand,” Michigan State coach Robyn Fralick said of Clark. “I think she got a lot of people who weren’t paying attention to women’s basketball to be more interested in it. I have a 10 year old son and he loves watching her play.
Washington, the Rutgers coach, said his daughter is also a fan. “It’s not fun on game day to play against Caitlin Clark,” she said. “But it’s a lot of fun to have that excitement around it.”
Iowa averaged more than 11,000 fans at its home games last season, second nationally behind South Carolina. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Indiana and Maryland also posted impressive attendance numbers, followed closely by Ohio State and Nebraska. Clark raised the profile of the Big Ten, and the overall strength of the league – especially at the top – made his games even more entertaining.
Several Big Ten coaches called her a “once-in-a-generation player.”
Penn State’s Kieger said, “The media coverage that we get, the level of play that it produces, I think improves every level of basketball.”
A hero’s responsibility
McKeown, Northwestern’s veteran coach, sat at his table during media day with no reporters in front of him. He spotted Clark moving from one interview station to another and called out to him. “Hey, come sit here!” I need a few more people to talk to. They chat about suburban Chicago golf courses like old friends before she leaves.
Just then, a reporter approaches McKeown’s table – only to ask him about Clark. He is happy to do it.
“She became a media darling, and the way she handled the situation is really important,” McKeown said. “Not only did they become fans of her, but they also became fans of women’s basketball. ‘Hey, it’s cool to watch.’
He compared his impact on women’s basketball to Tiger Woods’ impact on golf.
“Between her and Angel Reese, they really moved women’s soccer forward nationally,” Illinois senior Genesis Bryant said. “When they win, we win, because we are all women in sport.”
That’s a lot on the shoulders of a college athlete. At media day, her table was invaded and, even though she was flanked by two teammates, you can guess who answered most of the questions. Clark must always be on. Is it a burden?
“No,” Clark said without hesitation. “I am the same person as you. I’m the same person they see. It’s not false. It’s not a show.
Clark grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, with the closest WNBA team being the Minnesota Lynx, a 3.5-hour drive away. At media day, Clark recalled sitting in the stands — she pointed to the spot — wearing a Rebekkah Brunson jersey for a game against the Seattle Storm. Maya Moore, his hero, gave a speech after the game on the Target Center field. Clark sprinted onto the field, hugged Maya – who hugged him back – and sprinted.
“One interaction can change someone’s life,” Clark said, speaking of the memory but clearly thinking about how she is now the heroine being hugged.
“I still talk about it and it was, what, over 10 years ago? You understand your role to inspire people. You were right in their place. You understand the impact you can have on their lives. This also has an impact on us. It’s cool to see little girls wanting to be like us. You take this seriously.
