Caitlin Clark is the dominant force in NCAA women’s basketball right now. With her ability on the court and her charisma off it, the Iowa Hawkeyes forward is shaping not only the present but also the future of basketball.
In a brief poll conducted by a local television station, it was evident that fans adore Clark. People like sports fan Ethan Logston do not hesitate to praise the basketball player when asked about her.
“She’s a positive person and she never gives up. I like that she is determined to keep playing and breaking a lot of records,” said Logston in reference to Clark’s most recent achievement. Just on Thursday, the 15th, the player set the record for most career points in the NCAA, by reaching 5,543 and surpassing Kelsey Plum’s 3,527.
However, fans recognize the work Clark put in to get where she is: “It means you don’t have to go to like a fancy college or anything to be as good. You can just start anywhere if you put in the work,” said Vanessa Logston.
The rivalry with Angel Reese
Clark’s meteoric rise has created a direct rivalry with LSU Tigers’Angel Reese. The forward is a social media star in her own right and has also stood out as a fierce competitor on the court.
The numbers hardly say anything about this rivalry, since playing very different positions makes comparison complicated. Clark averages 32.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game, while Reese averages 19.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
Likewise, LSU plays in the Southeastern Conference, while Iowa is part of the Big Ten, so their matchups are not as frequent. Despite this, their most recent clash sparked sparks and there was no shortage of trash talk between the players before and after the game.
It’s about legacy
For now, Clark’s legacy is already clear, not only because she is the best scorer in the history of NCAA women’s basketball but also because she has the opportunity to break the overall record held by Pete Maravich, with 3,667 points.
Reese, for her part, has 1,957 points in her collegiate career, but she is only in her third year and still has time to continue putting points in the basket.
Beyond her mere productivity, Angel stands out as a leader and inspiration for her team. In this sense, the same can be said about Iowa’s guard, so the rivalry between both players will continue to be present, even though Clark is on the verge of making the jump to the WNBA, where she will wait for Reese’s arrival in a couple of years.