During a historical moment on the basketball court, the University of Iowa’s Catlin Clark steps onto the court. The arena was packed, an uncommon scene for women’s basketball. Everyone anxiously waited to witness National Collegiate Athletic Association history.
Clark was introduced to basketball at a young age, playing on boys recreational leagues throughout her childhood along with a few other sports. Transitioning into high school, she played for Dowling Catholic High School as one of the stand out guards in the nation. She also represented the Team U.S.A Youth Basketball Squad.
Early in her basketball days, Clark was a testament to the abilities that women can hone in sports. This year, she has propelled herself to stardom in women’s basketball.
“As a girl who plays water polo, listening to Caitlin Clark’s story has honestly just made me feel so empowered. I play a sport that not many girls play so I enjoy having that as my sort of role model in sports,” junior Melissa Sosa said.
For some time, women’s basketball has been a focal point of discussion because it often receives little attention compared to men’s basketball. Often, the discussions compare the National Basketball Association to the WNBA based on television ratings and other factors. Clark’s surging popularity as a women’s basketball player puts her on the right path to potentially minimize the gap between the two.
Throughout her basketball career, Clark has dazzled crowds with half-court threes and circus shots. Some compare her game to Stephen Curry’s in the NBA. She has achieved the all-time scoring mark in NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball history. On Feb. 15, Clark surpassed Kelsey Plum for this prestigious accolade in a game versus the University of Michigan.
“Girls who play basketball as a sport, whether it be middle or high school, also look up to her and motivate themselves to become another version of her. There was one game where she took the time to make kids’ day and signed autographs for her younger fans, and that is something I love about her as a player and individual overall. Playing basketball and watching Caitlin Clark gave me the motivation on the court since she is so young and influences so many young players like myself,” senior Mia Aguilar said.
When March 3 came around, Clark was 18 points away from breaking Pete “Pistol” Maravich’s all-time record for the most points scored in Division 1 basketball history. Scoring two crucial free throws for her team, Clark passed Maravich’s 3,667 point mark to become the all-time scorer in NCAA basketball history.
“I think Clark’s achievement is very encouraging for young women around the world. Her accomplishment serves as a perfect example as to how women can be successful, even in male dominant professions. This moment in NCAA history finally shines light on the female basketball industry, ladies that just like the men dedicate their whole lives to the game,” junior Melissa Hernandez said.
As Clark continue her remarkable journey to the forefront of women’s basketball, Clark is a global sensation, receiving love from rapper Travis Scott who attended her record-breaking game at her senior night against Ohio State.
“In girls flag football it’s very hard to get recognition sometimes, since football has been a male dominated sport for a long time, the girls do not really get attention for our work. Seeing women like Clark cause so much commotion and surpassing records shows that there is hope and that we are slowly getting the attention we deserve for the sports we love to play,” sophomore Mariana Iglesias said.
More importantly however, Clark has become a source of inspiration for aspiring girls across the world. Her accolades in the game of basketball continue to have a universal scope.
