By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Most of us were first introduced to Caitlin Clark in the Women’s NCAA basketball championship. Her long shots fascinated us.

Although her Iowa team lost to LSU, Caitlin won national attention with her shots beyond the three-point circle. Also, her back behind passes and assists looked like magic.

She also gained a rivalry with Angel Reese, who would also turn professional and play for the Chicago Sky. Reese would taunt Clark in the NCAA game by pointing to her ring finger to indicate her past championship and putting her own hand in her own face.

Clark was the number one draft choice and joined the Indiana Fever team, where Reese was seventh choice. Clark seemed to let the jealousy roll off her shoulders.

Picking up technical fouls seem to be an unwanted talent by Clark, who had six—one more and she would have been suspended for one game. She also has been the recipient of many uncalled fragrant fouls.

Clark has been hit in the head, as well as just knocked down. The latest injury was a poke to the eye. The phase Double Doubles was coined when a player scores double digits in two of the five categories (assists, blocks, points, rebounds, and steals. An example of this would be scoring 10 points and getting 10 rebounds. Both players were in the running for Rookie of the Year, and both had double-doubles. It was a very tight race all season long and of course filled with controversy.

What would be the criteria in choosing the winner? The winner ultimately was Caitlin Clark. Her average season points were 19.2, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. She broke 21 different records, including most points by a point guard in a season in WNBA history. Among the records was the most double-doubles by a rookie guard, the most points and assists by a rookie, and the first rookie to record two triple-doubles.

There is a big different between men’s NBA salaries and WNBA salaries, mostly due to attendance and TV time.

Thanks to the “Caitlin Clark Effect” and its impact, that is changing. After her team was eliminated from the playoffs, attendance dropped.

Clark is definitely a game changer. Viewship has increased, as well as media attention and brand collaboration. Ticket prices have also increased.
Instead of so much jealousy, and physical contact, support should be going her way.