South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley credited Caitlin Clark as the “sole reason” that women’s basketball viewership has exploded in recent years. Staley made her comments Wednesday during an appearance on 670 The Score in Chicago.
Over the past month, many former players and media members have shared their thoughts on where Clark stands in the pantheon of college basketball greats. Many viewed some of the comments, particularly those from Diana Taurasi, as hating. Staley pushed back a bit on that narrative then segued into her thoughts on Clark’s impact.
Here are her full comments (emphasis mine):
“I don’t think other people are hating on Caitlin Clark, I think it was more respect for history of the game. It comes from that perspective, because when you think of some of the greats — when you throw around the greatest college basketball player ever, I think of Breanna Stewart, who won four championships. I do, like I’m never gonna forget that because she banged it on our head all four years.
“When I think about Caitlin Clark, I do think she’s one of the greatest. Like she’s the greatest of her time. She’s the greatest of her time. I want women’s basketbal to grow, and I’m not too shy…
