Dawn Staley shouts out Iowa’s Caitlin Clark: ‘She carried a heavy load for our sport’
Dawn Staley continued to sing Caitlin Clark’s praises in the moments after Sunday’s national championship game.
Staley and the South Carolina women’s basketball team ended Iowa and Clark’s quest for a title with an 87-75 Gamecocks win over the Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland.
But after celebrating the team’s third national championship, Staley heaped praise Clark’s way during her postgame interview on ABC.
“I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport,” Staley said. “And it is just not going to stop here on a collegiate tour, but when she is No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft. She is going to lift that league up as well. Caitlin Clark, if you are out there, you are one of the GOATS of our game. We appreciate you.”
Clark thanked Staley for her comments during Iowa’s post-game press conference.
“I think any time someone like Coach Staley is able to recognize you and what you did for the game is obviously pretty special,” Clark told reporters. “Obviously she’s someone I respect so much. I respect what she’s done for South Carolina. I respect what she did as a player for our game.
“Any time you can get the praises of her is pretty special. So it means a lot.:”
Clark is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft on April 15. The Indiana Fever have the top selection.
Clark has been a top draw for NCAA women’s basketball the past two years, both on and off the court. Iowa’s regional final and Final Four game against Connecticut were the two most watched women’s basketball games of all time. Sunday’s national title matchup might pass those two games when ratings numbers come out Monday.
The Iowa senior also racked up many national endorsements, including from State Farm Insurance.
Clark finished her career with 3,951 points and had 18 in the first quarter Sunday, the most ever in one quarter in NCAA Women’s Tournament history. She averaged a nation’s-best 31.6 points per game this season and 28.4 in her career.
Clark became the first player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and also make it to the national championship game.
“For me, just the emotions will probably hit me over the next couple days. I don’t have much time to sit around and sulk and be upset. I don’t think that’s what I’m about either,” Clark said. “Yeah, I’m sad we lost this game, but I’m also so proud of myself, I’m so proud of my teammates, I’m so proud of this program. There’s a lot to be proud of.”
This story was originally published April 7, 2024 at 3:12 PM with the headline "Dawn Staley shouts out Iowa’s Caitlin Clark: ‘She carried a heavy load for our sport’."
