Today, the Iowa Hawkeyes are set to face the LSU Tigers in a pivotal game that could propel either team to the Final Four. This Elite Eight matchup serves as a rematch from last year's NCAA women's championship game, where LSU emerged victorious. Despite the buzz surrounding LSU, Iowa star Caitlin Clark has captured the spotlight with her exceptional long-range shooting, scoring prowess, and current prominence in women's basketball.
Recently, Clark was even offered a deal by Ice Cube to join his BIG3 league. Let's shift focus to women entering the NBA Draft. Many may not know that the Golden State Warriors made history by selecting the first woman in the league, Denise Long, with the 175th pick, representing a significant milestone in NBA history in 1969. Long, a 5ཇ guard from Iowa, was renowned for her lethal scoring abilities.
Although Long's selection was voided, in 1977, Lusia Harris was drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round but couldn't try out for the team due to pregnancy. With players noting the perceived ease of scoring in today's NBA, the question shifts from whether Caitlin Clark could dominate to whether she could effectively compete. Clark's impressive feat of making 184 three-pointers this year not only leads in the women's category but also surpasses the combined total of the men's NCAA leader, Jack Gohlke, who made 137.
Despite potential challenges, such as the larger ball in men's basketball and heightened competition, could Clark transition into a three-point specialist in the men's league? As the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball history with numerous records, Clark's collegiate journey lacks one accolade: a national championship.
Prior to discussions about the WNBA, BIG3, or NBA, Clark undoubtedly aims to secure an NCAA championship to further solidify her already illustrious legacy.
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Joseph, Samuel. ""The Caitlin Clark Effect": Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Sells out for First Time as Iowa Keeps Eye on the Prize." CNN, 6 Mar. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/03/06/sport/caitlin-clark-iowa-big-ten-tournament-spt-intl/index.html#:~:text=University%20of%20Iowa%20superstar%20Caitlin. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
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